Canada opened 2019 with a 1:0 win over Norway in its first official match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ year. Captain Christine Sinclair earned Canada the win with a
Canada got off to a strong start with Ashley Lawrence getting forward to play Nichelle Prince in for the first chance of the game in the 3’. Prince, whose run of form has seen her score four goals in the past six matches, was unable to get the shot on frame. Lawrence played Prince through again in the 7’, this time getting Jessie Fleming in on goal but Canada did not get the shot off. After Sinclair saved a long ball in, the ball fell back to her in the box in the 14’ and forced a save from Norwegian GK Hjelmseth for Canada’s best chance of the first half.
A minute later, Canadian Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé was forced
Following a handful of early
“It feels great to get the win and I believe there was something in our game that looked very promising. For this team to get where we are in such a short period of time is important,” said Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. “There are definitely some areas that we need to review from today, but the win against a quality side like Norway is a great start to the year as we push forward to France 2019.”
Many of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team players have been training in Spain since 8 January and two weeks together has provided an excellent opportunity for the squad to reconnect and continue to build the on-field partnerships that helped lead to a second-place finish at the 2018
“It’s been a great camp for us just starting the season, and to get the win against quality opposition that’s heading to the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well
Sinclair added that “we’re confident, especially if this is where we’re starting at this year. A lot of us aren’t in season right now, and we’re just sort of starting and we just beat Norway where most of them are in the middle of the season. We’re confident and we still have some work to do, but, we’re building.”
Canada’s camp included a training match against Switzerland in which Coach Heiner-Møller.had the opportunity to play every available player except #1 Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé, who stood aside as keepers Sabrina D’Angelo and Kailen Sheridan split training match action.
Canada’s roster against Norway featured: Stephanie Labbé in goal, Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shelina Zadorsky, and Ashley Lawrence at the back, and Julia Grosso, Desiree Scott, Jessie Fleming, Captain Christine Sinclair, Deanne Rose, and Nichelle Prince in midfield through
Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller used all six substitutions replacing Julia Grosso with Sophie Schmidt (46’); Rose with Helstrom, Prince with Jordyn Huitema, Scott with Rebecca Quinn (63’); and Sinclair with Janine Beckie (84’).
“This camp provided us with an opportunity to bring in many players and get a good look at all of them in match action, which is critical as we build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer,” said Heiner-Møller. “Testing players in different formations and on-field partnerships continues to provide us with information and insight that will help Canada field the best possible team come June. In all, this camp was very successful, but we know there is still a lot of work to do, so we are eager to regroup in February for the Algarve Cup.”
Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team is looking forward to a busy year ahead of the month-long FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ that kicks off 7 June and runs until the final match on 7 July.
Canada’s next camp will begin in late February ahead of the 2019 Algarve Cup. Drawn into Group A, Canada will face Iceland on 27 February and Scotland on 1 March before playing a final match on 6 March to determine its final rank in the tournament. Canada won the Algarve Cup in 2016 and placed second in 2017.
Additional camp information and matches will be confirmed in Spring 2019.
Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019
Canada, ranked fifth in the FIFA World Rankings, kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ tournament on Monday 10 June when they face 46th ranked Cameroon at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France. Canada will then travel to Grenoble for their second group match on Saturday 15 June against 19th ranked New Zealand at Stade des alpes workers compensation lawyer philadelphia. Canada conclude the group phase in Reims on Thursday 20 June with a match against Netherlands, ranked seventh, at Stade August-Velaune.xvideo