October 18, 2002

Marinette Pichon moves England further away from 2003 WWCup

UEFA/WWC 2003 PLay-off final, 1st leg

By Colin Aldis

England 0 France 1

Thursday 17th October, 2002
Selhurst Park, SE London,the home of Crystal Palace FC
Attendance 6, 252

Although it is not over yet in this home and away qualifying series to reach the WWC 2003 finals in China, a 75th minute strike by Marinette Pichon gave France a 1-0 win and a commanding position in the tie. This was the third time in a row that France has won with that same scoreline.

The second leg is due to be played in St. Etienne, France on Saturday 16th. November.

On a cool and crisp evening in SE London, there were chances at both ends in the early stages. England keeper Pauline Cope was tested by a run by Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe and then a cross by Peggy Provost. England responded with a long shot by Sammy Britton which went wide of the left post.

With so much at stake, it was no surprise that there was some cautious play, and Pauline Cope had only to deal with a free kick from the right by Sandrine Soubeyrand but England were being forced into long range shots. Another, this time by Fara Williams, went wide of the left post.

England made a change for the second half bringing on the recovering and lively Sue Smith. After an initial lift play returned to its previous pattern with France doing enough to contain the home team. Again the England keeper dealt with a cross, and Fara Williams tried a shot from distance. Then Sandrine Soubeyrand hit a shot just wide, and after another England change Hoda Lattaf struck a shot just over the bar.

England responded with a cross from the right by Karen Burke, but at a difficult height for Sue Smith's attempt to head the ball, and the chance was lost. Then France had their breakthrough. A cross not dealt with adequately enough, and the ball was played to Marinette Pichon some 15 metres from goal. She picked her spot superbly and hit a low shot just inside the right post past the despairing dive of Pauline Cope.

It was bitter blow for the home team. Despite some more long range efforts which had to be saved by Celine Marty, France were soon able to celebrate a vital victory.

So England must travel to France, get a goal and perhaps hope that France cannot stand the pressure of reaching their first WWC finals.

England

Cope, Pauline --Charlton Athletic
Stoney, Casey--Charlton Athletic
Unitt, Rachel--Fulham
White, Fay--Arsenal
Phillip, Mary--Fulham
Britton, Sammy--Leeds United (Exley, Vicky--Doncaster Belles, 66)
Burke, Karen--Doncaster Belles (Moore, Kristy--Fulham, 79)
Williams, Fara--Charlton Athletic
Yankey, Rachel--Fulham (Smith, Sue--Leeds United, 46)
Walker, Karen--Doncaster, Belles
Barr, Amanda--Charlton Athletic

Substitutes not used
Rachel Brown -Univ. of Pittsburgh
Kirsty Pealling -Arsenal
Julie Fletcher - Arsenal

Head Coach Hope Powell

France

1. Marty, Celine--Toulouse FC
8. Bompastor, Sonia-Montpellier-Herault SC
5. Diacre, Corinne-ASJ Soyaux
4. Riera, Aline--FCF Juvisy
2. Viguier, Sabrina--Toulouse FC
3. Provost, Peggy--FCF Juvisy
7. Mugneret-Beghr, Stephanie--FCF Juvisy
6. Soubeyrand, Sandrine--FCF Juvisy
10. Woock, Elodie--Toulouse FC
11. Lattaf, Hoda--Montpellier Herault
9. Pichon, Marinette--Philadelphia Charge

Substitutes not used
16. Lejeune, Melanie--Frieburg FC
12. Sykora, Emmanuelle--FCF Lyon
15. Georges, Laura --CNFE FF
17. Marie-Ange Kramo, Marie-Ange Kramo--Toulouse FC
14. Diguelman, Ludivine-CNFE FF
12. Lecoufle, Severine--CS Saint-Brieuc
13. Herbet, Candie--ASJ Soyaux

Head Coach: Elisabeth Loisel

Match Officials
Referee Vibeke Karlsen (Norway)
Referee Assistants
Vibeke Larsen (Norway)
Hege Steinlund (Norway)

4th Official Wendy Toms (England)