Valenciennes (AFP)
The ineffective Netherlands were held in check by Brazil (0-0) on Wednesday in Valenciennes (North) during the second meeting of the Tournoi de France, a new friendly competition bringing together teams from the world's top 10 women.
Under a pouring rain, the Dutch, vice world champions and defending European champions, generally dominated the debates at the Hainaut stadium and got the best opportunities.
The Brazilian selection, coached by the Swedish Pia Sundhage, worked against it without much success, like their star Marta, 17 goals in five World Cups, who was weaned from the ball.
Paris SG midfielder Formiga, 42, lacked presence in the midfield of the "Canarinhas", who did not succeed on target.
The Dutch nearly scored on a shot from Jackie Groenen, who just missed the frame in the 20th minute, and a narrowly-missed catch by Lyonnaise Shanice van de Sanden before the break.
Marta left at halftime, replaced by Cristiane, another big name in Brazilian women's football.
Unhappy finalists of the last World Cup against the United States, the Dutch, third in the FIFA ranking while the Brazilians are ninth, returned from the locker room with the same intentions.
But when Lineth Beerensteyn stopped Ludmila, who spun on goal in the 55th, a red card, rather than a yellow one, could have been brandished by the referee.
In the 61st, van de Sanden, going deep, was close to deceiving Honegger, but the Brazilian goalkeeper of Paris FC made a decisive stop.
In the 73rd, the same van de Sanden, once again launched, failed again in front of Honnegger, then on a Brazilian defender.
In the first match of this friendly competition, which debuts this year, France defeated Canada (1-0) on Wednesday in Calais.
On Saturday, the Netherlands will face Canada in Calais while the Brazilians will meet the French in Valenciennes.
© 2020 AFP