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France held to goalless draw by Jamaica
France suffered a frustrating start to their Fifa Women’s World Cup campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica.
Herve Renard’s side could not break down a disciplined Jamaica, for whom star striker Khadija Shaw was sent off in stoppage time. The Reggae Girlz held on for their first Women’s World Cup point amid heavy rain at Sydney Football Stadium.
The French must now regroup for their meeting with fellow Group F favourites Brazil on 29 July.
France came close to scoring in the first half when Kadidiatou Diani had a near-post drive scooped away by Becky Spencer before a deflected effort which flashed past the post. Diani twice headed narrowly wide before hitting the crossbar and post late in the second half, but Jamaica were roared on to a draw by the locals and neutrals as the latest smaller nation to impress at these finals.
French optimism dampened in Sydney rain
Having fallen at the quarter-finals in the past three World Cups, this has been pegged as the tournament for France to go deeper.
After the tempestuous Corinne Diacre reign – ended in March when Wendie Renard and several team mates threatened not to play at the World Cup at all – good feeling had returned around the French camp under new manager Herve Renard.
Herve Renard, who masterminded Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary win over Argentina at the men’s World Cup, has brought in an attacking 4-3-3 formation to bring the best out of his immensely talented squad. But they were blunted in Sydney by a Jamaica defence which pressed hard and well, never allowing Diani or Eugenie le Sommer enough time or space to work their magic.
Rising star Selma Bacha – winner of four Champions League titles with Lyon by the age of 22 and very impressive at Euro 2022 – missed this game with injury but should return for the key meeting with Brazil. France cannot get her back soon enough.
Jamaica joy punctured by Shaw red
In attack, Jamaica had one tactic – hit main striker Shaw as soon as possible. Given the talents of “Bunny”, who scored 31 goals in 30 games last season for Manchester City, their approach was not surprising.
Her presence alone was enough to stop France throwing too much forward, and a 35-yard free-kick fired inches wide in the first half showed her skills. But she was also booked for a late tackle on Sakina Karchaoui in the first half, before a clumsy challenge on Wendie Renard in the frantic dying seconds saw her sent off.
Having already gone better than their World Cup debut in 2019 – where they lost all three matches – Jamaica know victory over Panama in their next match will give them genuine hope of a last-16 place. But losing their captain, top scorer and talisman is a tough blow to take.
(BBC)
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Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
The Ministry of Education has announced that the .postponed subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be conducted from 12 – 20 January 2026,
The Situation Report issued by the Disaster Management Center at 06:00 AM today [09th December] confirms that 635 persons have died due to floods and landslides that took place in the country within the past two weeks. The number of persons that are missing is 192.
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will resume on 12th January 2026
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