Canadian women’s national team finished their Great Britain pre-Olympic Games camp on a high Tuesday, taking down England 2-0 at Stoke-on-Trent, England. Canada capitalized on not one but two mistakes by the English with attackers Évelyne Viens and Nichelle Prince showing alert play in the final third to match a strong performance from Canada’s backline. Viens – in her first start for the senior national team – earned an opening marker in the third minute when English defender Demi Stokes guided the ball behind the back and allowed the Canadian to pounce and slash home the opening goal. The goal, while a gift, gave Priestman’s side an early boost against the no. six-ranked English side.
RELATED READING: 3 thoughts: Defence holds firm as CanWNT grinds out win over England
England eventually shook off the mistake and began pinning the Canadians back later in the half, stringing together nice passing sequences and retaining possession well. To the Canadian backline's credit, England failed to create any solid breakthrough before the halftime interval. A crossbar-bound free-kick from Jordan Nobbs was tipped away by Stephanie Labbé to thwart the most significant chance of the half. Canada, meanwhile, recorded just one more shot on target through 45 minutes: a rebounded pot shot from Quinn. Canada found success winning the ball off the English midfield, with Viens, Janine Beckie, and Quinn shining in disruptive roles. Neither side failed to generate a solid clear-cut scoring chance in the second half with the result veering towards a Canada clean sheet.

BOX SCORE​

Goals 3’ – Évelyne Viens (Canada) 87' – Nichelle Prince (Canada) Discipline 28’ – Shelina Zadorsky (Canada)
England came close in the 80th minute when Vanessa Gilles coughed up the ball on the backline, releasing Lauren Hemp on goal. But, Gillies charged back and heroically blocked Hemp’s shot. Ultimately, England lacked the killer final ball as Bev Priestman’s side held strong at the back and grabbed the clean sheet rather confidently. Prince scored Canada’s second in the 87th-minute striping the ball off England ‘keeper Karen Bardsley. Prince caught the keeper off-guard only a few feet from the open goal and went in to tap in the insurance marker. "That was definitely not a goal I expecting but it was nice to get one," Prince said following Tuesday's result. "We wanted to bring our game to them and I think that's what we did." "I felt we executed our strengths out there today – and that's what we'll have to do at the Olympic Games... beat a first-tier opponent," Priestman said after the match. Tuesday’s result means Canada and England are now tied in their all-time record at 7-0-7. Canada last played England on April 5, 2019 in preparation for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Canada’s win followed a 3-0 triumph over Wales in Cardiff on Friday. It was also the final match Canada had scheduled before this Summer’s Tokyo Olympics. Captain Christine Sinclair was not listed to the squad after leaving the Wales game due to injury.

Continue reading...