Canada needs to produce on offence

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This article was published 14/06/2019 (2620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Win, and you’re in.

It’s a straightforward message for Canada going into today’s Women’s World Cup encounter with New Zealand. An additional three points, following Monday’s 1-0 win over Cameroon, will secure a spot in the knockout stages and set up a showdown for first place with the Netherlands next week.

But as simple as the directive may be, the task will likely prove anything but.

It wasn’t until second-half stoppage time that the Netherlands, the European champions, were finally able to find a way through the Ferns’ steely defence in their Group E opener. And four years ago, don’t forget, Canada and New Zealand played to a scoreless draw in Edmonton.

To avoid a similar result this time around, manager Kenneth Heiner-Moller’s side will need to generate far more chances from open play than they created against Cameroon. For all the talent they can put out on the pitch at any given time, goal scoring doesn’t come easy to Canada in major competitions — a reality they’ll need to adjust if they hope to go deep into the tournament in France.

To that end, they’ll be looking to build on the things they did well their first time out. Yes, their only goal — a powerful header courtesy of defender Kadeisha Buchanan — came from a corner. But they can continue to threaten from set pieces. In open play, while they didn’t find the back of the net, they stretched the field, thanks to fullbacks Ashley Laurence and Allysha Chapman. And forward Janine Beckie worked tenaciously across the attacking third.

Beckie, 24, is already emerging as a leader of this group, a captain of the future. She oozes confidence — an assurance no doubt bolstered by a burgeoning club career at Manchester City, with which she won a League Cup and FA Cup double last season. But she’s also scored just once for her country since October, and fellow forward Nichelle Prince is going through a similar goal-scoring drought.

In 10 matches this calendar year, Canada has scored only nine goals. Christine Sinclair has four of them. All indications are that today’s lineup in Grenoble will be identical to that which took the field in Montpellier, although if Heiner-Moller wants to shake things up in attack, he may start West Ham’s Adriana Leon in place of Prince.

The thing is, opportunities against New Zealand will likely be fewer and further between than they were against Cameroon. Next Thursday’s showdown with the Netherlands, which will attack with regularity, should provide a more open contest, and that will suit Canada. But first, they have to take the three points at hand, and that means scoring.

For now, this squad remains confident and refreshingly loose. On their way back from training on Thursday, they danced to Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman on the team bus. Twain responded with a “LET’S GO GIRLS!!” message on Twitter.

Canada’s approach to this World Cup is energetic and upbeat. For now. A few goals today will only boost the team’s enthusiasm. Further offensive struggles, however, could start to chip away at the positivity.

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Canada’s current women’s national team is likely the best this country has ever fielded, and going into this summer’s Gold Cup, a similar claim could reasonably be made for the men.

Winger Alphonso Davies, who joined Bayern Munich in January, is just 18, but already counted on to bring pace, precision and goals from the left of the attack. Captain Scott Arfield, who plays for Rangers in Scotland, is a powerful presence in the centre of the park. And Besiktas’ Atiba Hutchinson is back with the national side and will provide a steady presence and accurate outlet passes from a new role in defence.

Martinique, today’s opponent at the Rose Bowl, is not a FIFA member and will merely seek to limit the damage in Southern California. Canada’s biggest test of the group stage will come Wednesday in Denver, when it faces Mexico.

Copa America

Could Lionel Messi finally win a major international trophy?

Argentina haven’t won the Copa America since 1993, but La Albiceleste go into this year’s competition, which began Friday, as one of the favourites to triumph in Brazil. They’ve brought a full-strength lineup to the South American championship, although the usual question remains: can Messi finally deliver in the knockout stages and finally provide his country some elusive silverware?

Host Brazil, meanwhile, seems a far happier group without the distracting presence of Neymar. Gabriel Jesus is now the go-to striker, and Richarlison is flourishing early on in his international career.

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Manager Tite also has a variety of tools in midfield, including playmaker Arthur, engine Casemiro and stopper Allan.

Recent champions Chile and Uruguay are sectioned together in Group C and will play a much-anticipated match on June 24.

Dedicated to Bernard McLeod.

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Twitter: @JerradPeters