Ireland 0 France 1
Ireland were left ruing some dubious umpiring decisions after they lost 1-0 to France in the women's World Cup qualifying tournament in Amiens today.
A 56th-minute penalty corner scored by Peguy Bergere confined the Irish to their first defeat against the French since 1991 and puts their chances of qualification for next year's event in Australia at risk.
Laura Lee twice shot wide in the first half and captain Rachael Kohler also went close but Ireland had goalkeeper Tara Browne to thank for an inspired display as France created several chances of their own.
The contest developed into an ill-tempered affair after the break with Ireland denied two penalty strokes while a French player should have been sent off for pulling Claire McMahon back as she raced for goal.
Ireland coach Riet Kuper said: "I can't deny both teams had chances and we certainly didn't take ours. "France played very hard and well but the umpires didn't notice how much our midfielders Jill Orbinson and Kohler were bumped and bundled off the ball.
"But I must say how pleased I was with our aggression in the last 15 minutes. I was definitely disappointed with some of the decisions."