France held to scoreless draw by Jamaica

France's hopes of a winning start to their Women's World Cup campaign were thwarted by a hardworking Jamaican side in a 0-0 draw in the opening Group F clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

The French, semi-finalists at last year's European Championship, were unable to get their fluent passing game going as the Jamaicans hassled and harried them to earn their first World Cup point after three defeats in their 2019 debut.

Forward Kadidiatou Diani almost clinched the winner for France in the 90th minute, but her powerful header hit the bar, then the post, before bouncing out to the delight of the Jamaicans in the crowd of nearly 40,000.

Fifth-ranked France take on Brazil in the match that is expected to decide Group F in Brisbane on Saturday, while Jamaica will face Panama in Perth later the same day without top striker Khadija Shaw, who was dismissed in stoppage time

"It was a difficult first half, we came up against a group of really athletic women," France coach Herve Renard told reporters.

"The second half was better, we created chances but unfortunately we were unable to find the back of the net."

The Jamaicans celebrated at the final whistle as if they won the tournament, even though they lost their best player Shaw.

Coach Lorne Donaldson thought the draw would rank as Jamaica's finest football moment.

"I would say it is the number one result we have had so far. I think it's the number one I have seen, men or women. I would put it there," he said.

"Just looking at the rankings, that result on this stage has to be number one."

It looked like the game might be robbed of its two biggest names when France skipper Wendie Renard and striker Shaw clashed heads in the opening few minutes.

Both returned to the pitch after brief medical