The CanWNT tied with the Czech Republic on June 11 in Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. The Canadian women’s national team might have left the game knowing that they left something on the table at Estadio Cartagonova. They had 20 shots, but only two of those shots were on target.
They also had 61 percent of the possession. However, saying that, some of those scoring chances did not look dangerous. However, in comparison to the Czech Republic, which did not get a shot on target, it felt like a missed opportunity for Canada.
CanWNT tied in a frustrating draw against the Czech Republic
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:#CanWNT was the better team with 20 shots but only had two shots on target.#ceskarepre played well defensively.
The Czech Republic did not have a shot on target.#CANvCZE | 0-0
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 11, 2021
CanWNT did not capitalize on its chances
As mentioned before, Canada had 20 shots, but only two of them were on target. Canada had a good chance to score in the 10-minute. However, Gabrielle Carle shot was off target.
Then in the 16-minute, Christine Sinclair passed the ball to Nichelle Prince, but her touch was too heavy. Canada had 62 percent of the possession in the first half. However, it felt like Canada was a better team in the second half.
In the 50-minute, Sophie Schmidt got a shot off, but it was off-target. However, Canada would get three much more threatening positions to score later in the game. Jordyn Huitema looked threatening as she was substituted into the game in the second half.
84' #CanWNT player Deanne Rose gets an excellent chance to score, but her shot was off-target.#CANvCZE | 0-0
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 11, 2021
Huitema’s shot in the 58 and 82-minute was off-target. This was also the case with Deanne Rose, who had a golden opportunity to score in the 84-minute but was unable to get a shot on target.
Canada would also get a shot on target around that time, but the shot was easily saved by Czech Republican goalkeeper Barbora Votíková. Votíková also saved a shot from Canadian women soccer player Prince in the 23-minute.
The Czech Republic played well defensively
39' #CanWNT player Nichelle Prince's shot on the half volley is off-target.#CANvCZE | 0-0
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 11, 2021
Yes, Canada missed chances to score. However, credit must be given to the Czech’s defence, which blocked a lot of shots from the Canadian women’s national team. For example, in the 39-minute, a Czech player blocked a Sinclair shot.
This resulted in Prince getting a half volley shot attempt that was well off-target. They made it difficult throughout the game for Canada to score including blocking shots off set pieces. They also did a good job on defending CanMNT player Rose in the 75-minute. The Czech’s intercepted the ball and ended the scoring opportunity for Canada.
Czech Republic had very few chances to score
The Czech Republic had three shots and all of them were in the first half. A big reason for this was Canada turning over the ball a lot in the first half. They had a great chance to score early in the game around the 12-minute, but the shot was off-target. That was their best chance of the game. They would get more chances to score in the first half but failed to hit the target.
Canada had a better second half. The Czech Republic hardly had any momentum going its way. Credit to this goes to the Canadian defence, which is the strength of the CanWNT.
CanWNT tied with the Czech Republic Game Overview
This was a disappointing result for CanWNT. The Czech Republic is ranked 27 while Canada is ranked 8 in the world according to FIFA. More importantly, Canada looked like the better team throughout the game. They had all seven corners in the game and had a big advantage in shots, possession, and passing accuracy over the Czech Republic.
Unfortunately for CanWNT, they were not able to find the back of the net. The Czech’s made it hard for Canada to score. Two players to highlight from this game are Huitema and Ashley Lawrence.
In the second half, in particular, both players created scoring chances for the Canadian women’s national team. This resulted in Canada getting many scoring chances in the second half.
Both teams will now look to their second international friendly this month. Unfortunately, Canada did not have Janine Beckie against the Czech Republic. Beckie will also not play against Brazil on Monday, June. 14. She suffered an injury while training with the Canadian women’s national team.
Looking at the positives, the CanWNT got their third-straight clean sheet. The defence is probably Canada’s biggest strength and it was shown again against the Czech Republic.
#CanWNT debut alert! 🚨 Bianca St-Georges makes her first CanWNT appearance. 🍁 pic.twitter.com/n6pOwSVcBZ
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) June 11, 2021
Bianca St-Georges earned her first appearance for the CanWNT. She was substituted into the game in the 80-minute to replace Jayde Riviere. She is a defender for the Canadian women’s national team.
St-Georges was born in St. Felix de Valois, Quebec, Canada. She currently plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL since 2019. In that league, St-Georges had made nine appearances and scored one goal for Chicago.
The Czech’s will face Poland at 5:00 A.M. ET. This is while Canada will face Brazil at 3:00 P.M. ET. Both games are set to take place on Monday, June. 14. The last time Canada faced Brazil, the Canadians lost 0-2 in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup.
