City looked the better side while Mary Fowler was creating problems out wide and Kennedy was holding the fort in defence in Sunday night's match at HBF Park.
But the duo's exit in the 61st minute amidst four substitutions left City exposed, and PSG won a penalty in the 86th minute when Tara Elimbi Gilbert was fouled by Kerstin Casparij.
Jennifer Echegini stepped up to nail the penalty, with City's late push for an equaliser falling short.Â
Jennifer Echegini wins it for PSG from the spot!— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) Watch 📺 https://t.co/ydnjQWVenc#PIFC pic.twitter.com/6XwdcvII0cSeptember 1, 2024
City started the match in hot fashion, with Jess Park's deflected strike forcing a stunning diving save from PSG goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek.
PSG midfielder Anais Ebayilin was distraught in the 12th minute after crumpling to the turf with what appeared to be a serious injury to her right knee.Â
Fowler received a huge cheer every time she touched the ball, and her creativeness had the PSG defenders on edge.
But she wasn't able to find a way through PSG's tight defence, with the French outfit doing enough to secure victory.Â
Earlier, Matildas star Katrina Gorry was a notable absentee, but Courtney Nevin made it out for a 30-minute cameo as Leicester City thumped West Ham 5-2 in the third versus fourth play-off.
Leicester scored three goals in the first half and led 5-0 late before West Ham substitute Viviane Asseyi struck in the 90th and 96th minutes.
Gorry wasn't on West Ham's team sheet at all after injuring an ankle in Thursday night's 1-0 loss to PSG.
But Nevin, who missed Leicester's penalty-shootout loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night, was introduced in the 60th minute on Sunday with her team already leading West Ham 4-0.Â
"It was amazing bringing my teammates to Australia and for them to witness my culture," Nevin said after the match.
Noemie Mouchon set up the opening goal in the 10th minute when she stripped her opponent of the ball and raced into the box before squaring a pass to Yuka Momiki for an easy tap-in.
Yuka Momiki draws first blood in Perth 💥— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) Noemie Mouchon pounced on a mistake at the back for the Hammers and then served it up for Momiki to tuck it home.Watch free on Optus Sport with login 📲 https://t.co/EzF3qAw7rc#PIFC pic.twitter.com/k7ezdAfBDHSeptember 1, 2024
Missy Goodwin produced a dangerous square-up to gift Sam Tierney a goal in the 33rd minute.
And Goodwin scored a goal of her own in the 42nd minute when she combined with Yuka for a one-two before nailing the finish.Â
Mouchon finished off a fast break in the 50th minute to add to West Ham's misery, and a beautiful chip goal from Leicester substitute Saori Takarada made it 5-0 in the 76th minute.
20°C