Canadian women test the waters in Australia in advance of 2023 FIFA World Cup
Canada takes its first step in the direction of the 2023 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup in opposition to co-host Australia in a pair of friendlies Down Underneath.
Seventh-ranked Canada performs No. 12 Australia on Saturday at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (capability 52,263) earlier than the 2 groups meet once more on Tuesday at Sydney’s newly rebuilt Allianz Stadium (capability 42,512).
For Canada coach Bev Priestman, it is the primary gathering of her squad since qualifying for the soccer showcase, which is being co-hosted by New Zealand, by advantage of its second-place end on the CONCACAF W Championship in July.
Whereas the Canadian girls will not know their actual street on the 32-team World Cup till the attract October, the journey is a welcome likelihood to get a really feel for what awaits them subsequent July.
Priestman mentioned captain Christine Sinclair had informed her she was “so glad we got here,” given the possibility to expertise the jet lag and different challenges that include the 12,000-kilometre journey to Australia.
“I am fortunate I lived in New Zealand and did quite a lot of journey to and from these elements of the world,” mentioned Priestman, who labored for New Zealand Soccer from January 2009 to June 2013. “However I believe for lots of gamers, it is new to them and we’re studying methods round sleep and every thing that they’ve felt.
“That is an enormous a part of why we got here right here. It is completely different to what we are inclined to face … When it is a first official step on a World Cup journey, which it’s for us, to play Australia in Australia (at) World Cup venues and (keep) in presumably (match) inns, I believe these are all insights you will get that is going that will help you.”
Whereas Australia holds a 7-6-3 edge over Canada all-time, the Canadians have misplaced simply two of the final 9 conferences (5-2-2) and gained 2-0 when the groups final met — of their opening sport on the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Australians gained the final assembly Down Underneath, 2-1 in Could 2008 in Sydney.
Priestman calls Australia “a high high crew” that will likely be among the many contenders on the World Cup.
“They have main threats,” she added. “You may’t cover from a Sam Kerr however not simply Sam Kerr. I believe they have 4 or 5 high gamers which can be enjoying in high high leagues. I believe it is going to be a troublesome sport for us defensively. We’ll need to be actually armed for an Australian aspect that has confirmed that they’ll rating targets.”
The Canadian defence has been hit laborious by accidents with Priestman lacking Kadeisha Buchanan, Allysha Chapman, Vanessa Gilles, Jayde Riviere and Deanne Rose in addition to Ashley Lawrence (private causes) — an inventory that features her total beginning backline.
Priestman admitted the damage bug had her “beginning to suppose that the world’s in opposition to you.”
However she pointed to the SheBelieves Cup in 2021, her debut as Canada coach, when Gilles bought her likelihood to play within the absence of Buchanan. Gilles turned heads in simply her second begin for Canada and is now a part of Priestman’s first-choice centre-back pairing with Buchanan.
“There’s huge alternative for anybody that steps on that pitch,” mentioned Priestman.
Newcomers embody 18-year-old midfielder Simi Awujo, a sophomore on the College of Southern California, and 23-year-old ahead Clarissa Larisey, who has scored 9 targets in 27 appearances for Glasgow Celtic within the Scottish Ladies’s Premier League.
Awujo impressed on the latest FIFA U-20 Ladies’s World Cup 2022 in Costa Rica. Centre again Jade Rose, Canada’s captain at that match, can be in Priestman’s squad. The 19-year-old Rose has already gained two caps on the senior stage.
The 2 groups have loads of membership ties.
Kerr, the Matildas captain and star attacker, and Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming each put on Chelsea FC colors when not representing their nation.
Kailen Sheridan, Canada’s No. 1 ‘keeper, is a teammate of Emily Van Egmond on the NWSL’s San Diego Wave.
Australia’s Katrina Gorry, Charli Grant and Clare Polkinghorne play alongside Canadian goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo at Sweden’s Vittsjo GIK. And veteran Canadian midfielder Desiree Scott and Australian Chloe Logarzo each name the NWSL’s Kansas Metropolis Present their membership residence.
The Australian squad additionally options vice-captain/defender Steph Catley and ahead Caitlin Foord (Arsenal) and defender Alanna Kennedy (Manchester Metropolis).
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo, Vittsjo GIK (Sweden); Lysianne Proulx, SCU Torreense (Portugal); Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave FC (NWSL).
Defenders: Gabrielle Carle, Kristianstads DFF (Sweden); Marie Levasseur, Fleury FC (France); Jade Rose, Markham, Ont., Harvard (NCAA); Bianca St-Georges, Chicago Pink Stars (NWSL); Shelina Zadorsky, Tottenham (England); Sura Yekka, Le Havre AC (France).
Midfielders: Simi Awujo, USC (NCAA); Jessie Fleming, Chelsea (England); Julia Grosso, Juventus (Italy); Quinn, OL Reign (NWSL); Sophie Schmidt, Houston Sprint (NWSL); Desiree Scott, Kansas Metropolis Present (NWSL).
Forwards: Janine Beckie, Portland Thorns (NWSL); Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign (NWSL); Cloe Lacasse, SL Benfica (Portugal); Clarissa Larisey, Glasgow Celtic (Scotland); Adriana Leon, Manchester United (England); Nichelle Prince, Houston Sprint (NWWL); Christine Sinclair (capt.), Portland Thorns (NWSL).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 1, 2022
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
