Canada trains in Chengdu

Canada’s women’s national team took in their second training in Chengdu today at the Chengdu Jinniu Stadium. The team practised a full two hours before taking the afternoon off to visit the world-famous Panda Research and Breeding Base.



Canada’s training went from 11.00-13.00. The training was preceeded by a team photograph, which was simultaneously captured on film by FIFA broadcasting partner, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. Canada’s trip to the Panda Research and Breeding Base was also followed by CBC.



Canada is preparing for their Wednesday match against Australia, the third-and-final match in the opening round. Canada must win the match to finish in first or second place in their group. A loss (combined with an expected Norway win over Ghana) or a draw would leave Canada in third place.



Canada last faced Australia four years ago before USA 2003. Canada won 2:0 in Kingston, ON. The Australians are a much-improved team and, like Canada, were one of the half-a-dozen or more countries circled as medal contenders before the tournament started. In the month leading up to the Australia defeated host PR China twice in an international friendly series.



In the evening, Canada watched the two matches from Group A, one of which was in their own city of Chengdu. Deutschland confirmed their place in the quarter-finals with a 2:0 victory over Japan in Hangzhou. England, meanwhile, leapfrogged Japan in the standings with a 6:1 victory over Argentina in Chengdu. Deutschland (first place) awaits the second-place team from Group B while England (second-place) awaits the first-place team from Group B.