Sports

France women beat Thailand 3-0 in World Cup warm-up

May 25, 2019
France's midfielder Elise Bussaglia, hidden, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Thailand at La Source stadium in Orleans, France, on Saturday. — AFP
France's midfielder Elise Bussaglia, hidden, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Thailand at La Source stadium in Orleans, France, on Saturday. — AFP

ORLEANS, France — A late rally from France in the second half helped the women's World Cup hosts to overcome a stiff challenge from Thailand to win 3-0 in a warm-up match in Orleans on Saturday.

France, ranked fourth in the world and 30 places above their Asian opponents, were held to a scoreless first half with many Olympique Lyon players, who won the Champions League last weekend, named on the bench.

Midfielder Elise Bussaglia opened the scoring on the hour mark from a short corner routine that Thailand failed to clear.

Substitute Kadidiatou Diani then scored twice in eight minutes to seal the win, capitalizing on a mix-up to score her first goal before pouncing on a rebound from Chor Charoenying's penalty save off Eve Perisset to grab her second in the 86th minute.

France play one more warm-up game, against China on Friday, before kicking off their World Cup campaign on June 7 against South Korea. Thailand, who have qualified for their second World Cup, play defending champions United States on June 11. — Reuters


May 25, 2019
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