Canadian women finish Algarve Cup with win

PARCHAL, Portugal Goals by Janine Beckie and Ashley Lawrence lifted Canada to a 2-0 victory over Japan and fifth place at the 12team Algarve Cup on Wednesday.

The Canadian women, playing their first tournament under new head coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller, are currently ranked fifth in the world. Japan, runner-up at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, is ninth.

“I was definitely very happy with this performance,” said Heiner-Moller, who was elevated from assistant coach in January when John Herdman moved over to take charge of the men’s program. “I think it’s been a tournament where we’ve been growing into matches after a very rusty start (a 3-1 loss to Sweden). But today was definitely the best performance of this tournament.”

“Two beautiful goals and a couple of good (scoring) chances as well,” he added. “Against Japan, a very very good Japan, winning 2-0, that’s very encouraging for this team.”

Beckie, raising her Canada tally to 22 goals in 41 appearances, scored in the 20th minute.

The 22-year-old Lawrence made it 2-0 in the 50th minute with a superb solo effort.

Stephanie Labbe saved a penalty in stoppage time.

Canada, second to Sweden in Group B with a 2-1-0 record, was consigned to the fifth-place game after finishing as the second-best runner-up behind Portugal (2-0-1).

The championship game between Sweden and Netherlands was cancelled due to heavy rain. Both teams were awarded first place.

Canada was runner-up in 2017 and won the tournament in 2016.