The Canadian women’s soccer team faced another setback as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Japan in a women’s soccer friendly in Nagasaki. Japan, ranked eighth, outperformed ninth-ranked Canada with goals from Momoko Tanikawa, Mina Tanaka, and Aoba Fujino at the Peace Stadium. Canada’s struggles were evident throughout the game, with assistant coach Natalie Henderson acknowledging the team’s challenging phase and the need for improvement.
This loss marked Canada’s fourth consecutive defeat, extending their winless streak against Japan since 2018. The upcoming rematch between the two teams will be Canada’s final match of the year, as they aim to reverse their fortunes after recent losses to Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. This losing streak is the team’s longest since 2019, with Canada failing to score in 364 minutes of play.
In the match, Canada showed vulnerability early on, allowing Japan to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities. Despite some positive moments, including a corner kick and shots from Marie Levasseur, Canada struggled to contain Japan’s attacking prowess. Defensive lapses led to goals from Tanikawa and Tanaka, with goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan facing pressure and conceding goals.
The Canadian lineup featured changes from their previous match, with notable performances from players like Holly Ward and captain Jessie Fleming, who earned her 150th cap. However, the absence of key players like Olivia Smith and injuries to others impacted Canada’s performance. The team also missed out on the debut of D.B. Pridham due to passport issues, while other players were unavailable for selection.
As Canada looks to regroup and end the year on a positive note, they face a challenging task against Japan in their next encounter. The team will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find ways to break their goal-scoring drought to secure a much-needed victory.