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      Fran Kirby ready to put Chelsea bond with team-mate Kerr on hold at Tokyo Olympics

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      FRAN KIRBY says her bond with Sam Kerr will not stop her gunning for victory if Great Britain and Australia go head-to-head at the Olympics.The Chelsea playmaker made the admission after being selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo games in July.
      Fran Kirby is ready to put her Blues bond with Sam Kerr to one side at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr will be leading Australia’s attack at the Tokyo Olympics’ football tournament in JulyCredit: Corbis – Getty
      Kirby, 27, has established a formidable partnership at Chelsea with Matildas skipper Kerr
      The duo netted 37 goals last term helping Chelsea to nab their fourth WSL title.
      And their bond has seen them compared to Manchester United legends Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, who helped lead the Red Devils to a historic treble in 1999.
      But Kirby says she is prepared to put their special on-pitch bond to one side if it would mean a for Team GB.
      Kirby told FAWSL Full-Time: “I think of course it’s always special to play against people who you play with week in, week out on a scale like that. “
      “For so many of us to be able to go there and represent our countries in the Olympics, I think it’s something that we need to celebrate, obviously, as team-mates and as friends.
      “But I think obviously, when you come into a game situation, I think that kind of just gets thrown out the window.
      “She (Kerr) knows a lot about my play and I know a lot about her play so I think we’ll be able to give a bit of info on each other.”
      “For me, it’s just exciting. I think it’s exciting for all of us to be involved and all of us to just go out there and have fun and be Olympians and be able to be in that environment together.
      Kerr and Kirby netted 37 league goals helping Chelsea win their fourth WSL titleCredit: Getty
      “I think it’s going to be really nice but I think once you get in that moment, you’re just completely focused on your team.
      “And you’re not trying to think about how you can make your friend happy. It’s about how can you win for your team.”
      Kirby is joined by her Blues pals Millie Bright and Wales skipper Sophie Ingle in a Team GB squad that consists of 11 Manchester City players.
      And they will have to be at their best if they come up against team-mate Kerr who scored an incredible 21 goals for Emma Hayes’ side last season.
      The 27-year-old also eyeing success with Australia who have former USA assistant boss Tony Gustavsson in charge for the upcoming tournament.
      And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner reckons her national side can go far with Gustavsson at the helm.
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      Kirby’s performances for Chelsea earned her a WSL Player of the Year AwardCredit: Getty

      Kerr said: “I think he’s going to fit in well not only with the team off the field, but on the field, I think he’s what we need.”
      Chelsea fans will get to see their stars in action when the tournament begins on July 21.
      Team GB are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by matches against Japan and Canada in Tokyo’s Sapporo Stadium.
      Hege Riise’s Team GB side will be pushing for a Gold medal win at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
      Manchester City star Caroline Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray More

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      Team GB keeper Bardsley suffers hamstring injury putting Tokyo Olympics hopes at risk

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      KAREN BARDSLEY’S chances of playing at the Olympics appear to have taken a blow after she hurt her hamstring during a National Women’s Soccer League game. The Man City keeper who is on loan at OL Reign suffered the injury during their 1-0 loss to Washington Spirit in the United States. 
      Karen Bardsley sustained a hamstring injury during OL Reign’s 1-0 loss to Washington Spirit in the NWSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And it comes just days after the stopper was named in Hege Riise’s Team GB football squad. 
      Bardsley’s hamstring problem will come as a concern to Riise who chose the London 2012 Olympian and Ellie Roebuck as her preferred two goalkeepers in her 18-strong squad. 
      The veteran stopper will have around seven weeks to be fully fit ahead of Great Britain’s first match at the Tokyo Games against Chile on July 21.
      Bardsley, who has 81 England caps, is one of five players in the squad who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics. 
      And the US-born stopper, whose family hail from Stockport, helped the team reach the quarter finals of the 2012 Games where they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Canada. 
      Should Bardsley’s injury affect her fitness, Riise has rising Everton star Sandy MacIver as part of her reserve group. 
      The Toffees keeper is travelling to Tokyo as one of four players serving as back-ups to the squad of 18.
      MacIver, who moved to Everton in 2020 from United States college team Clemson Tigers, made her senior England international debut in March this year. 
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      Everton’s Sandy MacIver is travelling as Team GB’s reserve keeper for Bardsley and Ellie RoebuckCredit: Getty

      The Everton stopper came on as a second-half substitute during England’s 6-0 trouncing of Northern Ireland. 
      The WSL ace kept six clean sheets in 18 top tier games for Willie Kirk’s Toffees who finished fifth in the league last term. 
      And the Everton boss has tipped MacIver to become one of the world’s best keepers following her string of stunning saves during Everton’s 3-1 loss to Man City in the 2020 Women’s FA Cup final. 
      Manchester City’s Ellie Roebuck is one of two keepers named in Hege Riise’s Team GB squadCredit: Getty
      Manchester City star Caroline Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray More

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      Manchester City star Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray

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      CAROLINE WEIR recalls being left ‘devastated’ when a late Finland goal ended Scotland’s dreams of reaching the 2022 Women’s Euros.But the Man City winger reckons competing in the Olympics and emulating Andy Murray has helped ease the ‘disappointment’ of that December night. 
      Caroline Weir says Team GB are hoping for a gold medal win at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Weir says London 2012 gold medallist Andy Murray has been a ‘great mentor’ to herCredit: EPA
      Weir is one of two Scotland stars included in an 18-strong Team GB squad chosen by Hege Riise with the other being Arsenal skipper Kim Little.
      And the in-form playmaker, with a knack for netting wonder goals, is also targeting World Cup qualification with Scotland for the second time in her nation’s history.
      Weir, 25, said: “The fact that I’m going to the Tokyo Olympics this summer probably makes next summer and the fact I’m not going to the Euros, a little bit easier.
      “The disappointment with Scotland was a tough one to take. And it did take a little bit of time to get over it.
      “But at the same time, we have the qualifying campaign for the 2023 World Cup. 
      “It feels like a long way away, but it’s in a few months and we’ll have a Scotland camp in June and our focus will turn to that. 
      “Yes it (not qualifying for the Euros) was disappointing at the time, but I think you’ve got to move on quickly and I think we’ve all done that now.”
      Weir, who moved City in 2018 after a two-year Liverpool spell, has enjoyed a standout season with the Manchester giants including a 2020 FA Cup win. 
      The Dunfermline-born player netted eight times in 20 top-flight games last term as City took Chelsea to the wire before finishing second in the WSL title race. 
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      Weir wowed WSL fans with her performances for Man City this termCredit: Getty

      Goals include an audacious 18-yard chip in a memorable Manchester derby that went viral on social media.
      Weir, admits to being a fan of the Olympics as a spectator and taking pleasure from watching the Games’ ‘random sports’.
      The forward who began her career at the age of ten at Hibernian, is an admirer of the exploits of past Team GB Olympians.
      These include the dramatic gold-winning performances of Sir Chris Hoy and tennis ace Murray at the London 2012 Games. 
      And the Man City star, who became the first female football player to join Murray’s 77 Sports Management in March 2020, says the three-time grand slam winner has been a reliable source for advice. 
      [embedded content]
      Weir added: “Andy has been a great mentor to me over the last 12 months.
      “Any kind of questions or advice I need from him, whether that’s performance, psychological – whatever it might be – he’s at the end of the phone and he’s been really helpful.
      “And I’m sure I’ll be asking him a little bit about his Olympic experiences going forward, but he’s been great and really positive.”
      Great Britain will take on Canada, Chile and Japan in Group E of the Tokyo Olympics’ women’s football tournament in Japan in July. 
      In addition to Weir and Little, the group includes Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle who made history by becoming the first Wales player in a GB women’s football squad. 
      And Weir who is a ‘proud Scot’ is hoping the Scottish public will get behind the team as they bid to make history by winning gold. 
      Weir and her Scotland team-mates are aiming to qualify for the 2023 World CupCredit: The Sun
      Weir said: “It’s kind of sinking in a little bit now as the day goes on, but to put on a Team GB kit is something I never thought would happen or kind of dreamed of.
      “I’ve wanted to play in World Cups and things like that, but you just don’t necessarily think of playing at the Olympics.
      “I remember watching 2012 and I remember watching Kim and the team do so well in London.
      “To be here alongside Kim (Little) is a huge honour. I think that’s what’s great about Team GB and the fact that there are Scots here and Sophie Ingle is in the squad.
      “You also look around and you see those experienced players like Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Kim, Karen Bardsley and Ellen White who’ve seen it all and went to London 2012.
      Arsenal star Kim Little will represent Team GB for the second time in her career after competing at the London 2012 GamesCredit: Getty
      “But we have such good young players in the squad too that will bring that youth, and excitement.
      “Hopefully that will unite the home nations, and everyone can get behind us because it’s a strong squad.
      “We really want to do a good job and hopefully bring something back.
      “We’ve got to go for gold and of course it’s going to be a tough tournament but the team is talented.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Team GB hope to go beyond the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics football tournament after reaching that stage at London 2012Credit: Alan Walter – The Times
      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad More

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      Man City skipper Houghton reveals she was ‘desperate’ to be in Team GB after London 2012 experience

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      STEPH HOUGHTON has opened up on her desperation to be part of Team GB women’s football squad after competing in the London 2012 Games. The Manchester City and England skipper says the pride she felt in representing Great Britain is something she is eager to feel again.
      Houghton will represent Team GB for the second time at an Olympics after competing in the London 2012 GamesCredit: Getty
      Houghton is among a group of five WSL veterans who helped Britain reach the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament at the 2012 Olympics.
      The City star and Olympians Jill Scott, Kim Little, Karen Bardsley and Ellen White hope to win a medal this time around.
      And Houghton, 33, cannot wait to help head coach Hege Riise and Team GB achieve something special at the Tokyo Games in July.
      The City skipper said: “Being part of London 2012 and experiencing what the Olympic Games was like.
      “I was so desperate to get selected for this one, not just for me but the rest of the team we’re so proud to be able to represent Team GB.
      “With the success of the last Olympics, in terms of women’s football and how it was probably a watershed moment in so many different ways.
      “In terms of how many fans came to watch us, the performances that we produced, everybody’s so excited to get to Tokyo to go and do something special.”
      Back in 2012, Houghton and her team began their quest to win an Olympic medal in stunning fashion
      Houghton is one of five 2012 Olympians included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad of 18Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      They won their opening three group games and thumped Cameroon 3-0 in the last 16.
      But their run was cut short when they lost 2-0 in the quarters to Canada.
      But Houghton believes the Champions League experience gained by the current crop of Team GB’s football stars could help them in their bid to win a medal.
      Houghton added: “If I look back to 2012 I think we performed really well in the group stages.
      “And I look back at the game against Canada in the quarter-final back then and I know that it wasn’t the best version of us as a team.
      “I look at the squad and the individuals that we have and the mix of not just English players but Scottish and Welsh players.
      “I think it’s a squad full of quality people, that individually have played in big games, whether that’s a Champions League final or the highest games at the World Cup for their country.”

      Houghton, who has made 81 Man City appearances since her 2014 switch from Arsenal, led England to the semis of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
      And the Olympian, who made four Team GB appearances at the 2012 Games, believes Riise’s squad has the right balance of older and younger players to excel in Tokyo.
      Houghton added: “The talent we have really excites me and I think we’ve got the perfect blend of youth and experience.
      “And for us, our expectation is always to go and win as many games as we possibly can and that doesn’t change whether I’m sitting here wearing a Team GB shirt or an England shirt.”
      Houghton is proud to see the Team GB squad feature rising stars such as Lauren HempCredit: Getty
      Manchester United forward Ella Toone and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles are among the four WSL stars travelling with Team GB as reserves.
      They will be joined by Everton keeper Sandy MacIver and Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy who are serving as back-ups for Riise’s squad of 18.
      And Houghton says she is curious to see how they will react emotionally to being at the Games in Tokyo.
      If I look back at the last year and what we’ve been all been through as people, not just as footballers, ultimately we’re just so happy to be able to go to an Olympic GamesSteph Houghton
      The Man City captain said: “I’ve actually been speaking to the likes of Ella Toone and Niamh Charles who are going to be with us for the whole tournament.
      “And I’m so excited to see how they’ll react to being in that environment because of the feelings I had as a young player at London 2012.
      “It’s such a surreal feeling to be part of something that we’ve all probably watched since we’ve been kids but we’ve never expected to be a part of.
      “I’m just so excited for them to experience what we did and for the likes of me, Jill Scott, Ellen White, Karen Bardsley and Kim Little, to go and experience that again we feel so fortunate and proud that we can do it.
      “But I think if I look back at the last year and what we’ve been all been through as people, not just as footballers, ultimately we’re just so happy to be able to go to an Olympic Games.
      Houghton is looking forward to seeing the effect the Tokyo Olympics will have on young players including Niamh CharlesCredit: Getty
      “To go and represent Team GB and even though our families and all our fans can’t be there with us I know they’ll be there with us back home.”
      Houghton won plaudits for her Team GB performances at the 2012 Games, becoming her side’s top scorer with three goals in the tournament.
      But the centre-back, who has won three FA Cups and a league title with Man City has not had the best preparation for the tournament due to an Achilles injury.
      However the City skipper, who is “100 per cent fit” is raring to start training.
      Houghton added: “It’s not been ideal preparation, in terms of our players have played a lot of games.
      “And for me to be missing just over a month and a half worth of games is unlike me.
      “But there were lots of conversations behind the scenes in terms of ultimately my aim was to represent Team GB at the Olympics.
      “I just had to listen to the doctors at England and Manchester City and the physios and the coaches.
      Hege Riise’s Great Britain squad features by ten of Houghton’s Man City team-matesCredit: Getty
      “I have also been taking my time a little bit more so that I’m ready to go and yeah I’m 100% fit.
      “I’ve been training over the last few weeks, I feel confident in my body and I just can’t wait to start training with the rest of the girls.”
      Great Britain are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by clashes Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches.
      Matches are due to commence on July 21 with their first two fixtures due to take place at the Sapporo Dome.
      Team GB will play their opening game at the Sapporo Dome Stadium where David Beckham netted England’s winner in a 2002 World Cup game against ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad More

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      Team GB eye men’s football team at Paris 2024 Olympics having not featured since London 2012

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      TEAM GB are keen on sending a men’s football team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.Mark England, Chef de Mission of Team GB, has said he would “absolutely love” to take a men’s football team to the Paris Olympics, ending a 12-year absence.
      Daniel Sturridge, 22 at the time, featured for Team GBCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      The men’s team has not featured since the London 2012 Olympics, which saw them reach the quarter-finals on home soil.
      Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs captained the team, which included Premier League stars such as Daniel Sturridge, Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Bertrand and Craig Bellamy.
      But the team filled with Premier League stars lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals on penalties.
      Great Britain’s women’s team, however, will compete in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
      And England is hopeful that the success of the Women’s team will be a “positive step” for an open discussion on a men’s team in the future.
      He said: “I would absolutely love to take a men’s football team to the Olympic Games.
      “I think the experiences that the women have had through the home country FAs hopefully will be that positive step and impetus for an open dialogue on men’s teams in the future.”
      England went on to praise the strength of women’s football.
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      And has admitted that Team GB would be disappointed if they were not able to field a competitive team in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
      He said: “Obviously the strength now that we can see in women’s football (means) we’d be very disappointed if, in France in Paris in 2024 and on to Los Angeles in 2028, we weren’t fielding competitive teams across all sports but in particular competitive teams in football as well.
      “We’ve only concentrated on this particular cycle, and then as soon as this one is over, we’ll be getting across the negotiating table to ensure that all of the good work that’s been done for this particular cycle, we can replicate in 2024 and 2028 as well.”
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      Britain’s Olympic women’s team will go to scene of David Beckham’s World cup resurrection to launch bid for Tokyo glory

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      BRITAIN’S Olympic women’s team will go back to the scene of David Beckham’s World Cup resurrection to launch their bid for Tokyo glory.Team GB, coached by Norwegian Hege Riise, were drawn with hosts Japan, Canada and Chile in Group E when the 12-team tournament kicks off on Wednesday, July 21, two days BEFORE the official opening of the Games.
      Team GB have been drawn against Japan, Canada and Chile in Group ECredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Norwegian Hege Riise’s troops will face hosts Japan in their second Group E match
      They will play their opener against Chile, as well as their second match with Japan three days later, at the indoor Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, 500 miles north of Tokyo on the island of Hokkaido.
      That was the scene of England’s grudge group match with Argentina at the 2002 World Cup.
      Sven Goran Eriksson’s side won 1-0, courtesy of a Beckham penalty, after Michael Owen had induced a “foul” by future Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Skipper Beckham, who had been cast in the role of national villain after his red card against Argentina in St Etienne at the 1998 World Cup, slammed home from the spot and celebrated with wild frenzy as he cast aside that cloud from four years earlier.
      Team GB’s clash with Japan takes place at the Sapporo Dome, the site where David Beckham redeemed himself to England fans in the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Riise’s side avoided favourites USA but the scale of their task was underlined only last week when England lost 2-0 to Canada – coached by ex-Lionesses’ boss Phil Neville’s No 2 Bev Priestman – in a friendly.
      The final group match with the Canadians will be played in Kashima on July 27.
      But by beating Chile in their opener, GB would take a huge step towards the knock-out stage with two of the three third-placed sides going on to the last eight.
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      Scotland star Cuthbert hopes Chelsea performances will help her land a Team GB spot

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      ERIN CUTHBERT hopes helping Chelsea bag a quadruple will nab her a place in Hege Riise’s squad for the Tokyo Olympics. And the Blues ace told the BBC it would be a dream to play for Team GB’s women’s team at the games this year. 
      Erin Cuthbert says it would be ‘a dream’ to be in the Team GB football squad competing at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      The Scotland star is contention for spot in Team GB coach Hege Riise’s squadCredit: The Sun
      Cuthbert, 22, whose club will play London City Lionesses in the Women’s FA Cup, was reflecting on watching North Korea defeat Colombia in the first match played at the London 2012 games. 
      And the midfielder, who has 36 senior Scotland caps, says winning a Team GB spot, the Champions League, FA Cup and WSL title would be the perfect round-off to this term.
      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland: “I never thought I would have the opportunity to be selected. 
      “I know it would be an amazing journey and experience, but at the same time, I am focused on Chelsea. 
      “I want to win the league, I want to win the FA Cup and I want to win the Champions League.
      “I am living the dream without a doubt. It is a little bit of a fairytale.”
      Cuthbert, who moved to Chelsea in 2017 after spending 2015 to 2016 at Glasgow City, has made 16 WSL appearances this term, netting once and providing six assists. 
      Her club side have already bagged one piece of silverware winning the Conti Cup trophy this term.
      And the midfield star, whose father hails from Northern Ireland, says the Euros qualifying success of Kenny Shiels’ side made her reflect on the heartbreak of Scotland missing out on a place in the 2022 tournament. 
       The Women’s European Championship hopes of Cuthbert and her national team-mates were ended following a 1-0 loss to Finland. 
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      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland she was delighted to see Northern Ireland reach the 2022 Women’s European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty

      Their opponents, who went on to qualify for the contest, scored a stoppage-time goal at Scotland’s turf at Easter Round in December 2020. 
      Cuthbert added: “My dad is Northern Irish, so he is a little bit happy. 
      “I’m delighted for them, it’s an incredible achievement, but it is gut-wrenching that we had such a good team and we are not going to be at the tournament. I’m jealous.
      “We have not had a debrief. I can’t put my finger on it, but there were a catalogue of things – we dominated games against Portugal and Finland but just couldn’t score and we have to put that right.”
      Putting things right on the pitch against Europe’s top clubs is something Cuthbert and Emma Hayes’ other players aim to do in the Champions League campaign this term.
      The Chelsea star was part of the Blues team beaten by Lyon in the semis two years ago and is determined to see her side progress beyond that stage this season. 
      It’s an ambition shared by Kingsmeadow boss Hayes, 44, with her WSL title holders looking to become the first English side to reach a Women’s Champions League final since Arsenal in 2007. 
      Cuthbert added: “I’ve experienced the heartache of being so close and not reaching the final, so I know what it feels like. 
      “I’ll remember that and I don’t want to experience that again.”
      The final 18-strong squad set to represent Great Britain in the women’s football tournament at the Olympics is due to be announced in May.
      Cuthbert and Chelsea will play London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Women’s FA CupCredit: PA
      Cuthbert wants to help Chelsea win three more trophies this term following their Conti Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Four extra players will be invited to travel to Tokyo as reserves.
      Players, who can be chosen from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will be coached by Hege Riise at the games. 
      The Norway-born coach, 51, was part of a Norwegian side who won gold at the Sydney 2000 games by dispatching tournament favourites the USA with an extra time golden goal.
      Riise’s Team GB players will compete in a 12-team tournament in Tokyo taking place from 21 July to August 6.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Hege Riise will select an 18-strong Team squad to compete in the women’s football tournament at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
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      France 3 England 1: PSG star Baltimore on target as Lionesses fall to first loss under Riise

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      ENGLAND succumbed to their first defeat under interim boss Hege Riise as France impressed in Caen.Sandy Baltimore’s first-half wonder strike was among the goals that saw the visitors lose 3-1 after an entertaining end-to-end battle. 
      France beat England 3-1 in an international friendly in CaenCredit: AP
      PSG star Sandy Baltimore netted France’s opening goalCredit: Reuters
      Before kick-off there was a sombre tribute paid to Prince Phillip, with both teams holding a minute’s silence following The Duke of Edinburgh’s death hours before the clash. 
      And the early exchanges saw France show their attacking intent with danger woman Baltimore shooting narrowly wide after wrong-footing keeper Ellie Roebuck in the seventh minute. 
      With the contest seen as an audition for places in Riise’s Team GB Olympics squad, the Lionesses were also keen to get off to a flier. 
      And the team, led by skipper Ellen White, had some decent opportunities.
      First, through, Beth Mead’s fierce strike forcing a good save from Pauline Magnin-Peyraud in the 13th minute.
      And then through Nikita Parris looking to capitalise on a France error ten minutes later forcing the stopper to tip the ball behind. 
      But it was France –  who looked threatening on the counter – who took the lead with Baltimore smashing her effort into the top corner just after the half-hour mark.
      And England should have equalised in the second minute of stoppage time in the first period, but Parris sent her header agonisingly wide. 
      The second-half saw France win a penalty much to the frustration of skipper White and her team-mates. 
      And super sub Vivianne Asseyi doubled the hosts’ lead on the 60-minute mark. 
      Nikita Parris had a golden opportunity to level the game for England in the stoppage time stage of the first halfCredit: AP

      The introduction of Chloe Kelly, Niamh Charles and Lauren Hemp changed the momentum of the game for England.  
      And Hemp won a penalty converted by Fran Kirby in the late stages of the clash. 
      But a goal on the counter from PSG ace Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the closing moments saw France put the game to bed.
      Hege Riise and the Lionesses will take on Canada who beat Wales 3-0Credit: Getty
      Lionesses in training More