Canada WNT ready to face reigning Champions Japan

After recently arriving back on the west coast for the start of their latest round in the Centralized Development Program (CDP), Canada’s Women’s National Team get two early tests against the world’s best team.

Head Coach John Herdman has announced his roster of 20-players that will take on Japan in back-to-back Women’s International Friendlies on Saturday 25 October (kickoff 14.00 local time) at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and then Tuesday 28 October (19.00 local time) in Vancouver at BC Place.

“We’ve brought players that have that experience but also have that blend of youth,” said Herdman, who has brought in players who haven’t been in camp but in NCAA college environments.

“I think that it’s an important feature as we look for the right group that will take us through the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2015.”

These games against Japan mark Canada’s continued preparations as they get set to host the world next summer for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. Canada’s already hosted USA and Germany this year.

But in Japan, Canada is aiming high as Japan are the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Champions and are proving to be one of the best programs in turning out world class women’s soccer players year after year.

Just over seven months to go until the competition, these matches will serve as a good yardstick for Canada as they look to close the gap between the top programs in the world. But more than that, as CDP is just getting underway, it’s a great time to get some competitive action in.

“We just came into residency and the players have been on a break from their professional environments, so I think the main thing for us is that we’re able to be really competitive in these matches and that’s what we want to make sure,” said Herdman. “The players I’ve selected are close to the fitness levels that I’m looking for in internationals.”

These two teams last met when they played their respective opening games at the 2012 Olympics in London. Melissa Tancredi scored for Canada but it wasn’t enough as Japan came away as 2:1 winners. Japan is one of the 15 nations already qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, finishing on top of the table in AFC Qualifiers. Tickets are still available at migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io.

From 129 competing nations, Canada will be one of the 24 finalists that take part in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The 52 matches in the final competition will be played from 6 June to 5 July. Tickets to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ are available via FIFA.com/Canada2015.

CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbe | SWE / KIF Orebro
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | SWE / Eskilstuna United DFF
D- Rhian Wilkinson | CAN / Comètes de Laval
D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC
D- Rachel Quon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Houston Dash
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
M- Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit
M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County FC
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC