Canada was looking for positives on Friday following their 0-0 draw against Nigeria in their first match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Coach Bev Priestman and her players have found a few. However, they felt like they were trying to turn lemons into lemonade, especially given the penalty kick by captain Christine Sinclair, which was blocked by the Nigeria goalkeeper in the 50th minute.e minute.
The Canadians, ranked 7aredominated Nigeria (40e) 15-10 in shots attempted, and 3-1 in shots on target. They also had the best possession early in the game, creating chances they couldn’t take.
“It’s as if we had let slip points. It’s like we lost. I think we wanted more of ourselves,” said Canadian goaltender Kailen Sheridan. “But at the end of the day, there were a lot of good things that we want to take away. We have an incredible team and I know we will bounce back really hard. »
With Ireland next, Priestman wanted his side to look forward, not backward.
“Of course, the team and I are devastated not to have collected three points. But we got one point and we took two away from another team,” she added.
Nnadozie frustrates Sinclair
It wasn’t exactly a good game, but there were still some very tense moments. None stronger than the one that came early in the second half.
Sinclair claimed a penalty shot at the 47e minute when she was hit by Francisca Ordega in the penalty area and ended up on the pitch. Finnish referee Lina Lehtovaara finally indicated the penalty point after a video check.
Sinclair swooped in and fired the ball towards the bottom right corner, but Nigeria keeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie made a superb one-handed save and knocked the ball out of Sinclair’s reach, who was on a run in hopes of grabbing the rebound.
It was a good shot attempt, but a better save. Nnadozie, who plays in France for Paris FC, shook his fist in delight. Sinclair, on the ground after unsuccessfully trying to win the ball back after the stoppage, looked distraught.
The number 191 career goal will have to wait for Canada’s captain.
Jessie Fleming, who has often been the designated player to take a penalty shot lately, was on the bench – considered not fit enough to start the game.
“Christine Sinclair has scored many goals for this country and I’m sure the fans, the team and everyone can forgive an unsuccessful penalty kick,” Priestman noted.
“On a penalty kick, it’s a one in two chance, and today ‘Sinc’ didn’t score. At the end of the day, this team and this country love Christine Sinclair more than anything. So they are mobilized around her and we will keep her ready for the next match. »
Sinclair, who gave way to Sophie Schmidt at 71e minute, did not speak to reporters.
“It’s soccer. It happens,” Schmidt said of the penalty shot. “The goalkeeper did a very good job. She went the right way. »
According to Schmidt, the mood after the match was one of frustration.
“We dominated, so we shouldn’t let this performance get us down. There are so many good things to remember,” she said. “But I think we’re frustrated that we couldn’t find a way to score a goal. »
The final quarter of the game was marked by moments of angst at both ends of the pitch, with both clubs looking to score the decisive goal. At the 80e minute, Sheridan made an acrobatic save with one leg, accompanied by an offside flag which canceled the action.
Eight minutes of added time followed, during which Nigerian midfielder Deborah Abiodun was sent off after a video check for a heavy tackle on the back of Ashley Lawrence.
Limiting herself to the positive aspects, Priestman noted that the Canadians started their Olympic journey in 2021 with a draw (1-1 with Japan). She also highlighted the positive impact of forwards Cloé Lacasse and Évelyne Viens and other substitutes, as well as the shutout.
In fact, the Canadians have now held the opposition without scoring in six of their last ten World Cup outings.
But on the other hand, the Canadians were shut out for the third time in five games this year. Priestman’s side were outshot 7-3 on aggregate in 2023.
“I said we would grow throughout the tournament,” Priestman recalled. “Of course, did I expect the game to end in a 0-0 draw? Probably not. And that shouldn’t have been the case, considering the chances, the number of crosses and even the corner kicks. »
“It’s not ideal, but I don’t want to get carried away too early on what it is or what it isn’t. »
The Canadians will leave Melbourne on Monday to travel to Perth, some 2,720 kilometers to the west, where they will face Ireland (22e) Wednesday. The Irish come out of a 1-0 defeat against Australia (10e) in Sydney.
Canada will play Australia on July 31 in Melbourne.
By finishing second in Group B, Canada could meet fourth-placed and reigning European champions England in the round of 16.