Friendly: Canada Snatched Late Equalizer To Force Super Falcons To 2-2 Draw

April 12, 2022 6:30 am

A late equalizer from Canada denied Super Falcons a famous win, as both teams settled for a 2-2 draw, in the second of their two legged friendly in Victoria on Tuesday morning, Completesports.com reports.

The first meeting between both teams on Saturday in Vancouver ended 2-0 in favour of the Olympic champions.

But this time the Falcons put up a more spirited display and were close to grabbing the win before surrendering their lead for the second time in the encounter.

The Falcons got off to a very good start as they took the lead in the fifth minute through Ifeoma Onumonu whose brilliant back heeled effort from a setpiece ended in the back of the net.

In the 18th minute Chiamaka Nnadozie was called to action as she produced a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-0.

The Canadians kept pouring forward and were almost rewarded on 28 minutes but Ashleigh Plumptre made a goal-line clearance before Ajibade completed the clearance.

In the 32nd minute Nnadozie produced a superb save on 32 to deny Janine Beckie.

Just three minutes later Nnadozie was called to action again this time stopping Desiree Scott from grabbing an equalizer.

Despite efforts by the Canadians to draw level, the Falcons held on to go into the break 1-0 ahead.

Uchenna Kanu almost doubled the Falcons lead early in the second half but saw her effort well saved by the Canadian keeper.

The hosts eventually found the equalizer on 49 minutes through Christine Sinclair, who lobbed the ball over Nnadozie after Onome Ebi was robbed of the ball off a pass from the Falcons keeper.

But in the 53rd minute the Falcons were back in front thanks to Ajibade after her intended cross ended inside the net.

Canada were close to grabbing an equalizer but Sinclair saw her strike come off the cross bar.

And on 88 minutes Canada’s persistence eventually paid off as Shelina Zadorsky’s header from a cross beat the brilliant Nnadozie to bring score to 2-2.

By James Agberebi

Sinclair, Zadorsky score as Canadian women's soccer team salvages draw in friendly against Nigeria

Canadian captain adds to record tally with 189th international goal

The Canadian Press · Posted: Apr 12, 2022 1:19 AM ET | Last Updated: 32 minutes ago

Shelina Zadorsky scored a late tying goal as the Canadian women's soccer team settled for a 2-2 draw against Nigeria on Monday.

Zadorsky headed home a cross from Janine Beckie in the 88th minute, much to the delight of a boisterous sold-out crowd of 5,434 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C.

Canadian captain Christine Sinclair added to her record tally with her 189th international goal.

Jessie Fleming was presented her 2021 Canada Soccer Player of the Year award prior to kickoff.

The Olympic champions fell behind early when Ifeoma Onumonu played a cheeky backheel past starting goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan in the fifth minute. It came off a free kick that bounced around in front of Sheridan, who had little chance.

Canada immediately pressed and carried much of the play throughout the game. Its best early opportunity came off a free kick by Adriana Leon, which was deflected just over the bar by diving Nigerian keeper Cynthia Nnadozie in the 19th minute.

Beckie then rattled a left-footed offering off the goalpost midway through the half and Kadelsha Buchanan's follow-up was thwarted by a host of Nigerian defenders off the ensuing scramble.

Sinclair was substituted into the game at halftime and wasted little time in evening the score at 1-1 in the 49th minute. Sinclair chipped a left-footer by Nnadozie, who was caught well off her line when her pass was gobbled up by Sinclair after some miscommunication among her defenders.

The tie lasted just four minutes though as Busayo Ajibade's cross sailed over her intended mark, but substitute Canadian 'keeper Sabrina D'Angelo played for the deflection and watched helplessly as it sailed behind her.

The crowd was unfazed, however, coaxing the home side with constant applause, cheers, whistles and some old-fashioned drumming.

It was the second consecutive meeting in a span of four nights against Nigeria as the friendly series concluded. Canada downed the touring side 2-0 on Friday at a much warmer B.C. Place in Vancouver.

The Canadian women ventured to B.C. as part of a celebration tour, recognizing the gold medal they claimed at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

Canada, ranked sixth in the world, played in red jerseys with each player's name and number emblazoned in gold in recognition of its medal. Nigeria, meanwhile, wore a less than traditional forest green and sits at No. 39 in the world rankings.

Numerous fans wore the red of Canada to the Monday game and were treated to a fine night of footy, Island style.

"The Island has embraced us and the game, and Pacific FC (of the Canadian Premier League) has done an awesome job," Canadian women's team head coach Bev Priestman said entering the game.

The two B.C. fixtures were more than just a friendly for Priestman as Canada begins preparations for the eight-nation 2022 CONCACAF Championship from July 4-18 in Monterrey, Mexico. That tournament serves as the qualification route for both the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Priestman brought 21 of Canada's Olympic-champion players from Tokyo to B.C. and added seven additional recruits to the mix. The 21 were recognized pre-game with Sinclair receiving the largest cheers.

Surprise visit from Trudeau

On Monday afternoon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a surprise visit to the members of Canada's team ahead of the match.

"I thought I'd let Justin deliver tonight's pre-match speech," said Priestman as the prime minister walked onto the pitch where the team members were doing some afternoon stretching exercises.

"Congratulations," said Trudeau, adding the team has captured the hearts of Canadians and especially young girls. He said the accomplishments of the team are doing wonders for keeping girls playing sports in their teen years.

"It's good to see the men's team finally starting to catch up, because you guys are leaders," said Trudeau, referring to Canada's men's team, which recently qualified for the World Cup.

"Thank you so much for everything you guys are doing," added Trudeau, who was presented a red Canada T-shirt with Trudeau on back and the number 22.

The prime minister congratulated Sinclair — who also hit the crossbar in the 66th minute — for being "the top international scorer in soccer." He joked that star goaltender Stephanie Labbe, who has now officially retired, could have auditioned for the minister of defence in his cabinet.

The game was played on the artificial turf at the home of Pacific FC, the 2021 champions of the CPL.

Bosenan:
Nice, go girls, they should have played one of dem matches in Toronto tho