(Marbella) Quebecer Évelyne Viens scored in the 85th minutee minute of play to lead Canada to a 2-1 victory over Australia on Saturday in a friendly match played in Spain ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Nichelle Prince also found the back of the net for the Canadians, ranked eighth in the world.
Sharn Freier replied for the 12th-ranked Australians.e echelon.
Canada started the game well, but Freier opened the scoring in the 24th minute.e minute of play by accepting a pass from Mary Fowler in the penalty area. She then moved the ball to her left foot to unleash a shot that beat Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan at the near post.
Freier, who was in the starting XI for the first time, was a last-minute addition for Australia after Caitlin Foord withdrew in the warm-up with a sore quadriceps muscle.
The representatives of the Maple Leaf created equality at the 41e minute of play when Prince kicked the ball past Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who had been unable to control Cloé Lacasse’s cross.
The winning goal came when Quebec’s Gabrielle Carle completely outwitted an Australian player in the penalty area before passing to Viens who only had to complete.
Saturday’s game was considered “Tier 2” and does not count for standings or statistics since there were no limits on substitutions.
The Canadians have been in training camp in Spain since July 4 — or July 8 for players based in North America. They will play one final match before the Paris Games on Wednesday, behind closed doors. Canada Soccer has not released the name of their opponent.
Canada will begin its Olympic title defense on July 25 in Group A against No. 28 New Zealand, before facing No. 2 France on July 28 and then No. 22 Colombia on July 31.