Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team lost its opening match of the 2018 Algarve Cup against Sweden Wednesday.
The 3-1 defeat also marked Kenneth Heiner-Møller’s first game in charge of the women’s national team since he took over as head coach, after John Herdman vacated the role to takeover the men’s national team in January.
Sweden, currently ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings, scored twice in the second half to add to their first-half goal. Canada’s only goal of the match came from a Swedish own goal.
Canada’s Janine Beckie competes against Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
However, Heiner-Møller said he’s not deterred by the result and he expects his squad to continue to improve.
“Despite the score line, we saw a lot of positives in this match,” said Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team head coach. “There are certainly things we will take away and work on before we face Russia, but overall the players put a lot out there tonight and we are proud of them.”
Canada’s Desiree Scott competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
The new head coach wants his team to play an attractive and positive brand of soccer, emphasizing creativity and attack.
“We’ve asked this team to be the most creative group in this tournament,” he said. “And to continue building on the efforts that saw Canada draw the USA in November.”
The 2018 Algarve Cup is the 25th edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women’s football tournament held annually in Portugal. This year’s competition takes place from February 28 to March 7, 2018 and features 12 teams, including top 10 ranked Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Japan and Sweden.
Canada’s Allysha Chapman competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s Christine Sinclair competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s manager Kenneth Heiner-Møller watches his team compete against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s Christine Sinclair competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s Allysha Chapman competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s Jessie Fleming competes against Sweden’s Caroline Seger at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
Canada’s Ashley Lawrence competes against Sweden at 2018 Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal February 28, 2018. Photo: Mirko Kappes, Canada Soccer
-with files courtesy Soccer Canada news.
