Canada expects more opposition from a motivated Australian team when the two teams face off in Sydney on Tuesday in the second match of their women’s soccer friendly series.
Posted at 10:00 a.m.
The Canadians, seventh in the standings, won 1-0 in Saturday’s opener at Suncorp Stadium with a superb long-range goal in the 11the minute from Manchester United striker Adriana Leon.
Australians, 12are in the standings, led by Chelsea star Sam Kerr, had their chances but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Australia coach Tony Gustavsson lamented the missed chances, saying after the game his side could have scored three goals on another night.
“The Australia that I know, I know they could play at another level,” Canada coach Bev Priestman said in a videoconference on Monday.
“We’re not getting carried away and I think Australia can step up a gear,” she added. And of course, they will want to demonstrate it. I know when your name is Sam Kerr you come into this game very, very motivated and we certainly have to do the same. »
The Canadians have a decimated roster in Australia, with the entire starting line out due to injuries to defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Jayde Riviere and Allysha Chapman, with Ashley Lawrence unavailable for personal reasons. Forward Deanne Rose is also injured.
Priestman paired experienced central defender Shelina Zadorsky with Sura Yekka flanked by Bianca St-Georges and Janine Beckie, who normally plays further forward.
St-Georges, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, had a stellar game in just his fourth senior outing.
Priestman’s starting 11 on Saturday included just four starters from the Tokyo 2021 Olympic final: captain Christine Sinclair, Jessie Fleming, Beckie and Nichelle Prince.
Priestman deployed a new 4-2-3-1 formation with Fleming and Julia Grosso in front of the four defenders with Prince, Sinclair and Leon in midfield and Jordyn Huitema as striker.
Canada used all six permitted substitutes, with only Jade Rose, Marie Levasseur and Quinn as unused outfield players.
Priestman revealed she would use six substitutes again on Tuesday to make the most of Australia’s two fixtures.
“It’s a balancing act,” she explained. I really want to see players in this game. But I think at the same time, I would like to keep a momentum with the band. »
Sinclair, the all-time leading scorer with 190, will get her 317e selection if she plays on Tuesday, which would leave her alone in second place on the all-time attendance list ahead of American Carli Lloyd. Former USA international Kristine Lilly leads with 354 caps.
Tuesday’s game will take place at the newly rebuilt Allianz Stadium, which, like Suncorp Stadium, will host next year’s World Cup matches, which start in July at 10 stadiums in nine cities in Australia and New Zealand.
Canada will know its route to this tournament bringing together 32 countries during the draw in Auckland in October.
Canada is 7-2-3 in 2022, with losses 1-0 to eighth-placed Spain at the Arnold Clark Cup in February and 1-0 to the USA at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship .