VANCOUVER, BC – The CanWNT dominated in scoring chances and possession. They took it to Nigeria and were impressive on the day. It also provides some hope for the future as they look to become more ruthless and score goals in future games.
The CanWNT dominated in a 2-0 win at BC Place
REACTION from @stephlabbe1:
"To get the opportunity to do this one last time, here with this incredible crowd, my teammates and my friends & family – this was special." #CANWNT #CANWNTGold pic.twitter.com/LRBULrhFpU
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 9, 2022
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:
The #CanWNT had most of the scoring chances in the game.
The goalkeepers from both the #CanWNTGold and #SoarSuperFalcons played well.#ForCanada’s Janine Beckie and Vanessa Gilles had fantastic games today.#CANvNGA | 2-0 | #CelebrationTour pic.twitter.com/VqC3Di475P
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) April 9, 2022
First half
Janine Beckie and Jessie Fleming had great passing in the seventh minute. They made a quick one-two passes well early in the game. Desiree Scott missed the net in the eighth minute thanks to a smart pass by Vanessa Gilles.
Gilles header was stopped by the Nigerian goalkeeper. Christine Sinclair’s header was stopped in the 19-minute. This was thanks to great service and team play from Canada. Desiree Scott’s shot from close range was missed. The chance was created thanks to a great pass from Fleming. Scott did a good job and stole the ball in the 26-minute of play. Stephanie Labbé made a big save in the 28-minute of play.
Kadeisha Buchanan made a key defensive play to prevent a clear-cut Nigeria chance. Beckie got a pass from Sinclair but was unable to capitalize on her chance. Beckie’s cross to Sinclair in the 45-minute play did not connect.
Second half
The Canadian women’s national team kept pressing as they got a few more chances to score. Also, at the start of the second half, Labbé was substituted out of the game. She got a standing ovation as it looks like it might be Labbé’s last game in a CanWNT shirt.
51’ The #CanWNT scores! Christine Sinclair sets up the play as Deanne Rose made a smart pass to Jessie Fleming, who with an excellent shot, puts the ball into the back of the net. #OneSoccer#CANvNGA | 1-0 | #CanWNTGoldpic.twitter.com/ytx9kauIww
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) April 9, 2022
Deanne Rose received the pass from Sinclair. Rose settled on the ball and delivered a smart pass to Jessie Fleming. Fleming then scored with an accurate shot into the back of the net.
Janine Beckie continued to play well as she delivered a terrific cross to Adriana Leon, who should have scored in the 57-minute of play. Leon got behind the backline in the 68-minute of the game but was unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
72’ The #CanWNT’s Vanessa Gilles scores! Jordyn Huitema was credited with the smart assist and Janine Beckie was the player who set up the cross! #OneSoccer#CANvNGA | 2-0 | #CanWNTGoldpic.twitter.com/QqjnkW2iGG
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) April 9, 2022
The CanWNT got an insurance goal in the middle of the second half. Janine Beckie set up the play with the cross. However, it was Jordyn Huitema who created the smart assist for Gilles to head the ball into the back of the net.
Kailen Sheridan made a solid stop in the 78-minute of play. Toni Payne made a good defensive play in the 85-minute of play for Nigeria. Vanessa Gilles’s header was stopped by the Nigerian goalkeeper in the 86-minute of play. Gilles tried a header in the 87-minute of play. Janine Beckie’s cross to Adriana Leon in the 90+5-minute of play was off-target.
Also, there were things CanWNT fans learned about the CanWNT today. This includes Gilles showing an offensive side to her game and as always Adriana Leon finding ways to get behind Nigerias’ backline.
Stephanie Labbé celebrated in 2-0 win over Nigeria
A final salute to a legend 🇨🇦❤️
Thank you for everything, @StephLabbe1. #CANWNT pic.twitter.com/p1WZ2OtTsM
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 9, 2022
Labbé was given a special retirement ceremony with her family after the game ended. Then, they invited her players later on in the photoshoot. It was well-deserved as Labbé has put on a CanWNT shirt since 2008. She played a big role in Canada getting bronze in the 2016 Summer Olympics and Gold in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
There is still one more important game to be played this month. Both the CanWNT and Nigeria will travel to Langford, British Columbia at Starlight Stadium (home of the defending CPL North Star Shield champions, Pacific FC). The game kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
Three Takeaways: The CanWNT dominated against Nigeria
Game is Over:@CanadaSoccerEN 2@NGSuper_Falcons 0
The #CanWNT had most of the scoring chances and it reflected on the scoresheet. Janine Beckie had a terrific game for the #CanWNTGold.
— Raheem (@bashirra) April 9, 2022
Janine Beckie was the player of the game. Beckie was delivering the soccer ball for several players to score. Unfortunately, none of CanWNT players took advantage of her passes. Players like Adriana Leon and Christine Sinclair benefitted from Beckie’s play.
Goalkeepers from both teams played well. Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi made some big saves to keep the game close. This included making a terrific save from an Adriana Leon shot in the second half. Labbé and Kailen Sheridan for the CanWNT also made some big saves in the first and second half.
The CanWNT returned to BC Place for the first time in five years. The last time Canada played in Vancouver was when they drew to the USWNT in 2017. Also, Vancouver is a special place for many CanWNT players. Sinclair grew up just outside of Metro Vancouver and Labbé considers it her second home.
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer by Bob Frid on April 8, 2022.
