Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team secured a 0:0 draw with FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ finalists Netherlands in their second match at Tournoi de France. Canada will face Brazil in their third and final match of the tournament on Tuesday.
“We wanted to have another chance at the Netherlands after the FIFA Women’s World Cup and I think we showed some good perseverance,” said Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Women’s National Team Head Coach. “Sometimes when you’re playing against 10 players, you force things. I think we had some great opportunities, but unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net.”
In battling to the draw, Sabrina D’Angelo posted the fourth clean sheet of her career while central defender Vanessa Gilles earned her first start and second international cap for Canada.
“We drew the FIFA Women’s World Cup silver medallists and even 11v11 in the first half I think we looked the better team. I think with this performance, we’re stepping up our game and will be ready for Brazil on Tuesday,” Heiner-Møller said.
All of Canada’s matches at Tournoi de France are broadcast LIVE in Canada on OneSoccer.ca. Canada’s last match is Tuesday 10 March against Brazil in Calais, France (19.00 local / 14.00 ET / 11.00 PT). Fans will find extended coverage across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter featuring the social media hashtag #CANWNT.
Jessie Fleming sent Ashley Lawrence out along the wing in the 8’, but her cross in fell to the feet of a Dutch defender and was sent away from danger.
Allysha Chapman showed her speed down the far side, and her effort in the 16’ almost created an opportunity for Fleming right in front of the Dutch net, but the ball was handled by the defender.
Fleming sent a cross to Sinclair in front of the net in the 27’, but she wasn’t able to keep the ball. Less than a minute later, it was Adriana Leon’s turn to send a cross to Deanne Rose who got a head on it, but the attempt went wide of the net.
Sinclair returned the favour and sent a ball in to Fleming whose shot in the 33’, was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Lize Kop.
In the second half after three substitutions, Netherlands goalkeeper Kop was sent off after being shown a red card for a challenge on Nichelle Prince at the top of the box. Jordyn Huitema’s following free kick for Canada was blocked by the Dutch wall upon a restart minutes later.
Fleming slipped in behind Netherlands substitute goalkeeper and had a shot across the line that rattled off of the far post in the 69’. A minute later, Julia Grosso charged in towards net but her shot towards goal was deflected by a defender.
Ashley Lawrence had one of Canada’s better chances in the 68’. After receiving the ball from Huitema, she found space at the top of the box to get a shot off which was tipped just over by the goalkeeper and out for a corner. The ensuing corner kick was cleared by Netherlands.
Canada continued creating opportunities in the Netherlands box. In the 88’, Beckie sent a cross in front of the net that nearly found Huitema. In stoppage time, Vanessa Gilles had an opportunity inside the Dutch box, but her shot went over the cross bar.
Canada’s starting XI featured Sabrina D’Angelo in goal, Ashley Lawrence at right back, Vanessa Gilles and Shelina Zadorsky at centre back, Allysha Chapman at left back, and Desiree Scott, Jessie Fleming, Sophie Schmidt, Adriana Leon, Deanne Rose and Christine Sinclair from the midfield up through to the attack. In the second half, coach Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller replaced Leon with Nichelle Prince, Sinclair with Jordyn Huitema and Schmidt with Diana Matheson (46’), and Rose with Janine Beckie and Scott with Julia Grosso (65’).
