Costa Rica’s 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago earlier in the day meant a win by Panama would secure qualification for the Canadian women with one group game remaining in the eight-team tournament. Panama’s No. 57 didn’t make it easy for sixth-ranked Canada on a windy night at the Estadio Universitario. Canada dominated play with Panama trying to frustrate, relying on fouls to break up the action – often delaying ensuing free kicks by not backing off the ball. Panama’s players also often came down with the team’s coaches to train, running on the pitch with regularity. “It’s a great learning experience,” Canada coach Bev Priestman said. “Was it good enough? No. And everyone knows that. But we won… and we’re moving on.” Friday’s result secured Olympic champion Canada (2-0-0) a top-two finish in Pool B and a spot in the semifinals, meaning it will take on the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. No. 37 of Costa Rica (2-0-0) has also qualified from Canada’s group. The third team in each group advances to an intercontinental World Cup play-off. Canada’s breakthrough came in the 64th minute through Julia Grosso, who opened her scoring account with two goals off the bench in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over No. 76 Trinidad and Tobago. A Panamanian defender tried to clear Jesse Fleming’s cross only to see the ball go right to Grosso. The 21-year-old Juventus midfielder moved the ball carefully to avoid a defender and slotted it home. “Credit Julia. She stepped up and put the ball back in the net,” Priestman said. Canada had 69 percent possession and outshot Panama 12-4 (7-2 in shots on goal). Panama opted for a low block, stringing defenders all over the field. Priestman gave credit to Panama for their negative, time-wasting tactics, saying “I mean it worked”. Canada’s coach also saw it as a sign of respect for her team. Priestman’s half-time message was one of frustration. “I thought the first half performance, we weren’t good enough,” he said. “Our standards dropped and I think the players would agree with that. But in the second half, I was pleased with how they came out, to get back to our level.” The Canadians finish pool play on Monday against Costa Rica to decide who will top Pool B. That likely means avoiding the top-ranked USA, who have also qualified for the World Cup, in the semi-finals. The CONCACAF tournament doubles as a qualifier for both the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. Only the CONCACAF winner is guaranteed a place at Olympiacos, as well as a ticket to the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup to be held in 2024. The runners-up and third-placed teams will meet in a CONCACAF Olympic play-in series scheduled for September 2023, with the winner also qualifying for the Paris Olympics and the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. The World Cup has a field of 32 teams, compared to just 12 at the Olympics. Canada has qualified for seven of the previous eight World Cups, missing out on the inaugural event in 1991 in China, when the U.S. was CONCACAF’s sole representative in the then 12-nation field. Canada, which hosted the event in 2015, had its best showing in 2003 when it finished fourth. After playing at the 53,500-capacity Estadio BBVA – home of CF Monterrey – in suburban Guadalupe on Tuesday, Canada moved to Estadio Universitario on Friday. Known as El Volcan (The Volcano), the 41,600 capacity stadium in Monterrey is home to Tigres UANL. Priestman made five changes to their starting line-up, with goalkeepers Sabrina D’Angelo, Grosso, Shelina Zadorsky, Adriana Leon and Nichelle Prince. Janine Beckie has shifted back to fullback from up front. Captain Christine Sinclair, who scored her world-record 190th international goal in the tournament opener, made her 313th appearance for Canada — and her 306th start. Canada had 71 percent possession in a scoreless first half, but that didn’t translate into golden scoring opportunities. The Canadians held a 6-2 advantage in shots (2-1 at home) as Panama defended in numbers and tried to slow the game down whenever they could. Canada went close in the 19th minute when Leon’s header flashed high. Two minutes later, Panama captain Lori Batista saw his long-range effort fly just over the Canadian post. Sandwiched between two Panamanian defenders, Prince was brought down just inside the penalty area in the 27th minute, but the potential penalty was disallowed by an offside flag. The game was stopped as it went into video review, but nothing came of it. D’Angelo made her first save in the 38th minute, a comfortable stop from a Marta Cox foul well outside the penalty area. At the other end, Prince pulled the ball wide in the 42nd minute after Panama failed to clear a foul. Priestman sent on forward Cloe Lacasse and full-back Jayde Riviere in place of Sinclair and Prince at half-time. And Leon forced an acrobatic diving save from Yenith Bailey in the 46th minute. Jordyn Huitema and Quinn, with one name, entered for Canada at 57. Panama’s Rosario Vargas went close with another long shot in the 80th minute that went just wide of the crossbar. The Canadians have never lost to Panama, outscoring the 57th-ranked team 13-0 in their previous two meetings. Sinclair scored twice the last time Canada faced Panama — a 7-0 win in October 2018 at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship that earned Canada a spot at the 2019 World Cup in France. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 8, 2022
