HEARTBREAK IN FRANCE
Sweden ousts Canada at World Cup
Canada, a team with enormous talent and so much promise, bowed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in heartbreaking fashion at Parc des Princes stadium on Monday.
Stina Blackstenius scored and goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl stopped forward Janine Beckie on a penalty kick to give Sweden a 1-0 win over Canada in the Round of 16. The Swedes advance to a quarter-final against Germany in Rennes on Saturday.
It was the second consecutive loss for the Canadians at the tournament and it sent them home earlier than anticipated after entering the event with championship aspirations as the No. 5-ranked team in the world.
“I feel like I let the team down,” Beckie said. “I’m feeling frustrated and disappointed and all the negative emotions right now.”
Blackstenius scored, finishing off a counterattack to give Sweden the lead 10 minutes into the second half. Blackstenius took a beautifully weighted pass from midfielder Kosovare Asllani, went in alone and poked the ball past hard-charging Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe.
Canada had been dictating the play, but was unable to break down a tough Sweden defence.
“We got the one counter wrong and that’s all you need to get wrong in these matches,” said Canada coach Kenneth Heiner-moller. “I think the story of the game was going in our favour and we were getting closer and closer to the goal and it was just a few passes that weren’t really on point. But that was something that I was definitely thinking is that we were coming along the way.
“I’ve lived with this team with, I don’t even know how many days, I’ve seen the work they’ve put in, I’ve seen the work the staff has put in, so I’m not disappointed with the performance. I’m proud of this team, but the result is very disappointing.”
Canada had an opportunity to tie the game in the 68th minute when it was awarded a penalty kick after a shot from Desiree Scott hit the arm of Asllani in the penalty box.
The play was allowed to continue and Sophie Schmidt nearly headed a cross into the far corner of the net. Once play stopped, the VAR officials stepped in, suggesting referee Kate Jacewicz of Australia look at the shot and she awarded Canada a penalty.
Beckie stepped up to take the kick and was stopped by an outstanding diving save from Lindahl, who extended to her right to knock the ball away.
“We have a group of players on the team that practise PKS after every practice, and there is a group of us that are comfortable doing it,” said Canada captain Christine Sinclair. “Hedvig saved my shot in the Algarve (Cup) a couple of months ago, so I went up to Janine and asked her and said that if she wanted it, it was hers.
“She said, ‘Absolutely.’ I feel bad for even asking her, but I have all the faith in the world in her, we all do. She’s fearless out there and I asked her after the game if she placed it where she wanted to and she said, ‘yes.’ Then you can’t do anything more, the ’keeper made a worldclass save and you have to tip your hat to her.”
Canada benefited from a VAR decision for the second time when it was whistled for a foul in the penalty area later in the half, but upon review, it was deemed Sweden fullback Nilla Fischer was originally offside when she sent the cross in that led to the penalty call.
With time winding down, Canada threw all it could at the Sweden net, but was unable to get a quality scoring opportunity.
“It’s disappointing, because I actually thought we played pretty well tonight,” Sinclair said. “I’m disappointed with the result, but can’t be disappointed with the way we played, everyone left everything on the field.”
Canada controlled the play in the first half, but did not generate much with its sustained possession as Sweden was content to sit back and defend.
Canada had 61 per cent of the ball in the first half and completed 77 per cent of its 283 passes, which was well more than Sweden even attempted.
“It’s a stinger that’s for sure,” said Labbe. “I think we’re going to feel this one for a long time and I think what’s tough about it, we came out and we put in such a good performance. You can’t fault the passion and the grit and the heart the girls left on the field.
“To the final minute the girls were pushing for our chance and unfortunately that quality cross, that quality shot, we couldn’t get there. We couldn’t get on the end of them.”
I feel like I let the team down. I’m feeling frustrated and disappointed and all the negative emotions right now.