Canada is sitting pretty after the first two games at the FIFA Under-17 women’s World Cup in Jordan.
They sit tied with the best record in their group stage, and with the tie-breaker in their favour, after playing Germany to a 1-1 draw on Monday.
Canada grabbed an early lead when Deanne Rose deposited an aggressive charge past the German keeper just 21 minutes into the contest. Germany
countered with a tally in injury time during the first half, converting a penalty kick from the top of the box.
“It was a very tough game, but we are happy to come out of it with a draw,” said u17 head coach Bev Humphries-Priestman. “We would have loved three points, but I think the reality of the physical difference between our young players and Germany’s more mature side means a draw was a good result.”
While Canada held a solid advantage in the first half, their European rivals
applied serious pressure in the second half for the go-ahead goal, only to be foiled by a sturdy defensive line and FIFA Live Your Goals Player of the Match Lysianne Proulx, a 17-year-old Quebec native.
Canada’s roster includes defender Emma Regan, 16, a product of the Burnaby Girls soccer club and a member of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite program.
They opened the tourney with a come-from-behind victory over Cameroon on Friday, where two goals in the final 15 minutes locked up all three points for the Canadians.
Canada led 1-0 on Jordyn Huitema’s marker three minutes from the opening whistle, before Cameroon counted a pair before the half. In the 78th minute, Sarah Stratigakis buried the equalizer, followed by Hannah Taylor’s game-
winning header five minutes later.
Canada wraps up the group stage schedule Friday against Venezuela. A win or a draw will earn them a berth into the quarterfinals, while a loss would put their fate in the hands of a Germany-Cameroon contest.
Both Canada and Germany have four points in the tourney, with Canada holding an edge in goals scored. Venezuela sits third with three points. The top two teams in each group advanced.
