Sinclair goal not enough to clinch opener for Canada
Team's first match of the Games ends in a 1-1 draw against `outstanding' Japan
Canada had to settle for a draw in its opening game of the women's soccer tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.
Christine Sinclair scored for Canada in a 1-1 tie against host Japan at the Sapporo Dome on Wednesday.
Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé stopped a penalty before leaving the game injured, while Mana Iwabuchi scored for Japan.
“I think against Japan, we knew that they were very technical with the ball, but I think we had identified that we had to use our strengths and we wanted to impose ourselves without the ball on Japan,” said Canada coach Bev Priestman. “Credit to the group, they committed to that and got our goal. But I think credit to Japan. They're an outstanding team, I think history shows that, and we knew we would have a difficult game on our hands. But credit to the group, they gave absolutely everything.”
The tie earned Canada a point in its first of three group games, with a match against Chile in Sapporo on Saturday. Chile lost 2-0 to Great Britain earlier in the day.
Canada concludes group play against Great Britain on July 27. The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-place finishers.
Sinclair, 38, scored her 187th international goal in her 300th game five minutes into the contest to give Canada the early lead.
It was the perfect start for Canada, who went into the 12-team tournament looking to improve on consecutive bronze medal performances in London and Rio.
Japan had an opportunity to tie the game five minutes into the second half, when a collision between Labbé and forward Mina Tanaka in a race for a loose ball resulted in a penalty for the host.
At first, the foul was awarded to Labbé, who was injured on the play, but the referee awarded the penalty to Japan after checking the video monitor.
Despite being in obvious pain, Labbé stayed in the game to face the penalty, and made an excellent save on Tanaka to keep Canada ahead. Labbé then followed it up with a pair of outstanding stops in a wild scramble shortly after.
Labbé, however, was unable to continue with an apparent chest injury and had to be substituted in the 60th minute, replaced by Kailen Sheridan.
“(Labbé) did unbelievable,” Priestman said. “I think after that save when she saved the penalty, she made about three other saves after that. I think big players rise in big moments and she did that for the team regardless of how she felt, which is outstanding.”
Big players rise in big moments and (Stephanie Labbé) did that for the team regardless of how she felt, which is outstanding.
Sweden surprised the defending World
Cup champion United States, winning 3-0 in Tokyo on Wednesday. Stina Blackstenius scored twice and Lina Hurtig added the other for Sweden in the victory.