Brazilian women did not come to Montreal to attend the celebrations marking the end of Christine Sinclair’s career. The Brazilians came to spoil them.
Debinha scored with a double-deflected shot in the 94the minute to give Brazil a 1-0 victory over Canada. This friendly meeting, part of a farewell tour of the great Sinclair, was played in front of a sold-out Saputo stadium.
Under a radiant autumn sun in Montreal, the atmosphere was “magnificent,” said defender Vanessa Gilles. Like several of her teammates, the Châteauguay athlete arrived in front of the media with poutine in hand, about an hour after the final whistle.
I had 40 people come to the stadium, family and friends. It hurts even more when you lose in front of them.
Vanessa Gilles
Bianca St-Georges had “no words” to describe the feeling she gets from representing Canada in front of her family. But she still found a few.
“Seeing my family who was there […], players I played with when I grew up and who see me here today… everyone had tears in their eyes. It’s incredible. »
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Christine Sinclair about to take the field and coach Bev Priestman
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Even though the match was friendly, the intensity was there.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The Brazilian Marta
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Kadeisha Buchanan in front of Marta
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Canadian goalie Kailen Sheridan
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Ovations for Christine Sinclair
“Replacement for Canada,” we heard over the loudspeakers at 66e minute. The crowd looked to the sidelines. Christine Sinclair was about to make her entrance. Instant standing ovation.
On Saturday, Sinclair set foot on the Montreal lawn for the very last time. This fall, she is playing the last four international matches of her great career.
“It’s great that we can honor him,” says St-Georges. Sometimes we forget [qu’au Québec], we like that too, supporting Canada as a whole, you know. Christine Sinclair changed the game for soccer in Quebec and Canada, and it is an honor to represent it here. »
Already, even before the first whistle was blown, fans were treated to a great Canadian sporting moment: an exchange of jerseys between the best female hockey player in the world, Marie-Philip Poulin, and the athlete who signed the most goals in the history of international men’s and women’s soccer, Christine Sinclair. The two women were warmly applauded at the Saputo stadium.
“I think Sinc was just very emotional to receive this jersey,” said Gilles. She’s a big hockey fan. […] She wanted to wear it during the game! She was very proud and happy to receive this jersey. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Christine Sinclair and Marie-Philip Poulin exchanged jerseys before the start of the match.
Then, at 12e minute, the crowd stood to honor Sinclair and his number 12.
“We know she doesn’t like that kind of attention,” coach Bev Priestman recalled. But she enjoyed all these moments [samedi]. There was loud applause for her, and she deserves it. »
And at the final whistle, the Canadian team circled the field, Sinclair in the lead, to the cheers of the crowd.
“It was good for the people of Montreal to have Christine here,” added Priestman.
A Brazil with initiative
The result of this meeting was logical. Canada, thanks to the brilliance of its goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, was able to resist numerous Brazilian attacks until the very end.
On the Seleção goal, Sheridan was unable to do anything, the leather having deviated twice in the area.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan
“Kailen is good, but even she can’t stop that,” Priestman smiled.
The Canadian coach spoke of this meeting as a “test” that her team “needed”.
“I thought we started the match strong and kept the ball well. But in the second half, we couldn’t take control of the game. Honestly, we should have taken advantage of our opportunities. »
The Canadians had quite one, at the very end of the first half. Nichelle Prince almost opened the scoring, but she was unable to score from close range on a missed shot that became a pass from Adriana Leon from the area. It was the only clear opportunity for the Olympic champions in this meeting.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Adriana Leon
The Reds were also unlucky in losing the services of Jessie Fleming in the 22nde minute.
“I had the impression it was because of a migraine,” breathed Priestman. She had a headache this morning. »
Passing in front of the media in the mixed zone without stopping, Fleming quickly declared that she felt good.
Fleming is Canada’s ace in midfield. Without her, and despite some good breakthroughs from her replacement Julia Grosso, the Reds lost their cohesion.
It was a first match for the new Brazilian coach, Arthur Elias. Bev Priestman therefore did not know exactly what game the Brazilians were going to propose. Thanks to the brilliance of the legendary Marta and Adriana, the visitors gave the Canadians a hard time, especially in the second half.
The two teams meet next Tuesday in Halifax. The Reds have a few days to “adapt” and find solutions, says Priestman.
And to digest these tasty poutines.