France defeated China, 3-0 on Sunday in an Olympic preparation match at the Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris. Kadidiatou Diani, Wendie Renard and Claire Lavogez each scored a goal in the victory, which saw France defeat its former coach, Bruno Bini.
Diani opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Renard doubled France’s lead in the 29th. Lavogez finished from the penalty spot with nine minutes left in the match.
France, the world’s No. 3 team, is expected to be one of the major contenders in next month’s Olympics. Les Bleues will play Colombia, New Zealand and the United States in the group stage, beginning on August 3.
Bini took over as coach of China late in 2015, having previously coached France from 2007-2013. France parted ways with Bini after a disappointing quarterfinal exit at Euro 2013. That came on the heels of consecutive fourth-place finishes at the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics, when France’s inability to close out games cost Les Bleues a chance at the podium. Late-game and late-tournament disappointments were the main criticism’s of Bini, who helped build France into a world power, but the trend continued in 2015 under new coach Philippe Bergeroo when France dominated Germany in the World Cup quarterfinal but failed to finish, losing in penalty kicks.
Bini is looking to continue China’s revival after last year’s quarterfinal showing at the World Cup. China will play South Africa, Sweden and host Brazil in next month’s Olympics.
China will next face Canada on Wednesday in France. Les Bleues will play Canada on Saturday before departing for the Olympics.
LINEUPS
France
Sarah Bouhaddi (Méline Gérard, 46) – Jessica Houara d’Hommeaux (Sabrina Delannoy, 77), Griedge Mbock Bathy Nka, Wendie Renard (cap.), Amel Majri (puis Sakina Karchaoui, 78) – Amandine Henry, Elise Bussaglia (Claire Lavogez, 62) – Kadidiatou Diani, Camille Abily (Kheira Hamraoui, 62), Louisa Cadamuro-Necib – Eugénie Le Sommer (Marie-Laure Delie, 62).
Coach: Philippe Bergerôo
Chine
Zhao Lina – Liu Shanshan (Gao Chen, 71), Zhao Rong, Li Dongna (cap.), Wu Haiyan – Gu Yasha (Ma Xiaoxu, 46), Tan Ruyin (Li Ying, 54), Pang Fengyue, Wang Shuang (Wang Shanshan, 62) – Zhang Rui (Yang Man, 71), Yang Li.
Coach: Bruno Bini