France suffer home humbling

France 0-4 Japan
The UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ hopefuls fell to their heaviest defeat for more than two and a half years but France coach Bruno Bini found "no reason to worry" despite the result in Montargis.

Montpellier absences
This friendly came after a hard week of physical training for the French squad in Clairefontaine while they were also without several players from Montpellier Hérault SC, who were in UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round action. It was France's biggest reverse since 7 March 2007 when they lost 4-0 to Denmark in the Algarve Cup. At home, they had not suffered such a defeat since the same side overcame them by that scoreline in 1992.

Japan goals
Three days after holding world champions Germany to a goalless draw, Japan broke the deadlock after 15 minutes through captain Shinobu Ohno. Nahomi Kawasumi doubled the margin seven minutes before the break after France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was beaten under pressure. Defender Yukari King and an added-time effort from substitute Mami Yamaguchi swelled the scoreline further.

Difference in pressure
"Japan are a good team who sit in front of us in the FIFA rankings," said Bini. "Tonight, we noticed a difference between a team who are in full preparation for the European Championship and another team on tour without pressure in Europe. Our players worked hard during the week, which explains the result. The main point is to be ready on 24 August for the first game of the competition [against Iceland]. There is no reason to worry about such a result." France complete their friendly programme on 12 August against Scotland in Chartres.

France: Bouhaddi; Franco (Le Pailleur, 46), Georges, Meilleroux, Debonne (Ducher, 62); Soubeyrand, Thiney (Le Sommer, 46), Nécib (Kramo, 80), Bussaglia; Thomis (Brétigny, 80), Herbert (Tonazzi, 70).