Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team drew Iceland 0:0 to take a point from its first match of the 2019 Algarve Cup.  Canada dominated possession and had multiple chances in the first half and continued the domination in the second half playing around Iceland, however Iceland were able to hold off Canada.

Diana Matheson had the first chance of the game in 3’ getting through on goal, but, Iceland GK Sandra Sigurdardottir was able to smother it. Two minutes later, Janine Beckie had a chance inside the six-yard box, but, Iceland were able to make a goal line save. Beckie had another great chance in the 17’ but put the ball just wide of Sigurdardottir’s net. Beckie was at it again in the 22’ after Jessie Fleming swung a cross in at the back post, but again Iceland were up to the task. Christine Sinclair had a shot blocked in the 31’ with Janine Beckie getting a few more chances, but, the teams went into halftime 0:0.

Canada again came out flying in the second half, Jessie Fleming played a brilliant ball wide to Ashley Lawrence in the 51’, whose cross fell to Christine Sinclair, but, again Sigurdardottir made the save. Nichelle Prince threaded Diana Matheson into scoring position in the 62’, but, Iceland found a way to keep the ball out. Second half substitution Jordyn Huitema’s speed created a chance in the 80’, running down a through ball and creating an opportunity but Canada put the ball over the net. Janine Beckie had a go from the top of the 18 in the 86’ minute that went just over the bar.

Quote Sheet:

“Today was a great performance from our team. A very, very dominant performance in every aspect of the game, but, the most crucial thing in the game, we didn’t succeed on. It’s something we need to work on. We need to be able to convert. We do know Iceland defends with a big heart. Iceland beat Scotland 2:1, and I expect a match a little like this. They are more technical in midfield, which we need to take in consideration. I hope for as good a performance as we just put on.”
– Kenneth Heiner-Moller, Head Coach, Women’s National Team

“We went in with the attitude to start out strong and I think we completed that task, unfortunately we didn’t put one of those away, but we got great quality chances in the first five minutes. We’re getting those final acts and we’re getting good quality crosses in on goal. We got unlucky a few times today, so I’m sure in the next game we’ll slot a few in.”
– Rebecca Quinn, Centre Back

Lineup: Kenneth Heiner-Moller started Kailen Sheridan (GK), Kadeisha Buchanan, Rebecca Quinn, Diana Matheson, Ashley Lawrence, Desiree Scott, Captain Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, Nichelle Prince, Janine Beckie, and Jessie Fleming. Heiner-Moller replaced Matheson with Gabrielle Carle and Prince with Jordyn Huitema in the 66’, and Scott with Julia Grosso in the 70’.

Striker Janine Beckie made her 50th appearance for Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team on the night.

Canada is now 1-0-1 against Iceland, having defeated the European nation on the way to their 2016 Algarve Cup victory.