The Orange Women failed to win the Tournoi de France. Home country France was 3-1 too strong for the team of Mark Parsons in the decisive game of the exhibition tournament, who lost an international match as national coach for the first time. The French force majeure in some phases of the match will have given the Englishman new headaches.
National coach Parsons called it the biggest game under his reign as national coach. He put together the strongest possible starting eleven and, remarkably enough, Caitlin Dijkstra – after another strong performance against Finland (3-0) – was preferred as right back over Kerstin Casparij. After the big names at Orange were unable to make the difference against Brazil last week, it was 1-1, Lieke Martens had the chance to score the opening goal after a few minutes. She had plenty of time and space, just in front of the French goal, but shot hard over.
This immediately put an end to the danger of the Orange Women in the first half. The Parsons team could not get a grip on the fast and agile French team, which was supported by more than 5000 supporters. The left flank in particular was overrun and the build-up was very sloppy. French captain Wendie Renard made the 1-0 from a penalty and five minutes later Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored the second goal on behalf of Les Bleues.
This Dutch team is still difficult to estimate, with a view to the European Championship. A top favourite? New. An outsider? That could well be. That is why this showdown came at a good time, a few months before the final tournament in England. Still, this evening in Le Havre was not encouraging. Things got a bit better after the break, when the slightly injured Vivianne Miedema was replaced by Katja Snoeijs and the wavering Aniek Nouwen was taken off for Casparij.
It was also the moment that the heel made its appearance in the tournament win. Just after the break, Lineth Beerensteyn made a nice hit, after she scored so beautifully with a volley against Brazil. But fair is fair, Katoto’s heel goal that meant the 3-1 was even nicer.
With that piece of art, the 23-year-old French striker concluded the Tournoi de France, which was won by the home country without losing points. But that is no more than a footnote in the history of women’s football. More important is the homework and lessons Parsons, his staff and his squad have learned from a week in France.
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