Canada controls destiny at World Cup

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/07/2023 (772 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“Win, and they’re in.” Or, more accurately, “don’t lose, and they don’t go home.” It’s really as simple as that.

Canada’s fading World Cup aspirations were jolted back to life in a matter of minutes on Wednesday. Comeback wins can do that. Now, with only a match against tournament co-hosts Australia remaining in Group B (Monday, 5 a.m., TSN), they find themselves in the enviable position of controlling their destiny.

Which, given that they went 152 minutes without scoring Down Under, is quite the turn of events. And yet, there are multiple ways to frame their campaign to date.

For the cup-half-full lot, they’re still unbeaten, haven’t conceded from open play and have trailed for less than a single period. The half-empties, however, could point out that they’ve tallied just once themselves (the equalizer against Ireland was a Megan Connolly own goal), are sweating over the fitness of captain Christine Sinclair and are reliant on Nigeria dropping points to top the group.

Both would be right, which only underlines the razor-thin margins they’re dealing with and highlights the fact that they’re very much a second-tier contender at the 2023 event – much like everyone else.

With the group stage set to enter its final matchday, two sets of teams have emerged at this World Cup.

In one, you have Spain, Germany, Brazil, Japan and, by virtue of being the United States, the United States. In the other, you’ve got everyone else. If this was a cycling race, four riders would have separated themselves, the returning champion would be biding their time, and then there’d be the peloton, which is where the Canadians are riding.

That’s not to say they can’t break away from it, although there’s more they can do to catch up with the leaders.

Like being more clinical, for starters.

Sinclair – who limped off the field at Perth following the 2-1 defeat of Ireland – may have helped spark her side’s recovery this week, but she also should have scored soon after the restart, and then there was her saved penalty against Nigeria.

Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso have also come close, and Vanessa Gilles missed an absolute sitter against the Irish. Such chances need to be converted.

Canada have also looked shaky on set-pieces, and while it might sound cynical they should really have cleared the corner-kick that became Katie McCabe’s spectacular Olimpico.

They can also keep improving on the things they already do well.

The successful run to Olympic gold in Tokyo showcased an impenetrable low block, and whether it’s Kadeisha Buchanan or Shelina Zadorsky operating alongside Gilles in the centre of defence the identity of this team remains its ability to limit opposition chances. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has been excellent through two matches.

Midfielder Quinn also continues to establish themself in front of the back-line, and as Jessie Fleming rounds into form there should be more consistent linkup play between the middle and attacking thirds. Huitema’s work from out wide is something to build on as well.

Something the optimists have as a matter of fact is that Canada has improved in each half of the tournament to date. Continue that trajectory and they’ll extend their schedule at least a week.

Slow and steady sometimes wins the race, though for now it’s enough to simply stay in it. Against Australia, that’s a scenario the Canadians control.

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