(Perth, Australia) After a crazy night in Perth, the Canadian team returned to their Melbourne headquarters on Thursday for their one-night match against Australia at the Women’s World Cup of Soccer.
Hours after landing, Canada (no 7) learned they had been joined at the top of Group B by Nigeria (no 40), following the African country’s astonishing 3-2 victory over Australians at the end of the program on Thursday.
With one match to be negotiated, nothing is decided in Group B. Canada, the defending Olympic champions, could finish first or second, which would allow them to qualify for the knockout stages, or third, which would result in his elimination from the tournament.
The Super Falcons’ astonishing victory on Thursday saw them move ahead of Canada in goals scored, even though the two teams have four ranking points apiece. The Matildas are third with three points, while Ireland (no 22), still in search of a first point, are already eliminated from the competition.
In the final group stage matches on Monday, Canada will face Australia in Melbourne, while Nigeria will meet Ireland in Brisbane.
Australia must defeat Canada to continue. The Canadians can qualify for the round of 16 with a win or a draw.
Canada could also get their ticket to the next round with a loss – provided Nigeria loses and the goals-for/goals-against differential is in favor of the Maple Leaf representatives.
The team that finishes atop Group B will skip the Group D winner, expected to be either England (No 4) or Denmark (No 13), in the Round of 16. The country that finishes second in Group B will cross swords with the winner of Group D.
But for now, it’s all about avoiding the ax in the group stage.
Canada came from behind to win 2-1 against Ireland on a rainy Wednesday night. The Canadians rebounded from a disappointing first-half performance, notably after conceding a spectacular net to Ireland’s Katie McCabe in the fourth minute of play.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman sent Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt into the fray early in the second half, along with defender Shelina Zadorsky. The trio took to the field with a combined 635 career international appearances.
Sinclair and Schmidt showed their experience and composure in possession, making plenty of passes that got the Canadians back on track.
“Our team’s modus operandi is built on resilience. We flex, never break,” said Schmidt, whose pinpoint pass set the stage for Adriana Leon’s 53rd-minute net winner. We came out stronger in the second half.
“Sinc [Sinclair] jumped onto the pitch after the break and looked like he was saying, ‘Welcome to the World Cup.’ That’s what matters,” she added.
Schmidt is aware, however, that the Canadians will have to step up their game against Australia.
“It will be an exciting game. The home team… lots of fans, Schmidt explained. The stadium is likely to be very noisy. I think it will be a good duel against Australia. Our styles of play are similar. But yeah, I like our chances [of winning]. We have to continue our progress, we have to build on that, because our performance [against Ireland] will not be enough against Australia. »
Canada will face Australia at 6 a.m. Montreal time on Monday morning.