Celebration Tour | Canadians prepare occupied Saputo Stadium and win 1-0
Olympic soccer champions brought back some heat from Tokyo to Montreal on Tuesday night at Saputo Stadium. The Canadians beat New Zealand 1-0 in the second friendly match of the festive round.
With a feeling of 8°C, we were far from the sweltering heat of the Japanese capital last August. Whatever it was: Adriana Lyon maintained the momentum, scoring the only goal of the match in 16NS Accurate. She scored the last two Canadian goals in a 5-1 win last Saturday in Ottawa.
In this first match for Canadian players on Quebec soil since the 2015 World Cup, 11,323 fans gathered. Their energy was contagious.
“The atmosphere was really very good,” said striker Evelyn Vince after the match.
Girls on the bench, two minutes later, we were like, “Yeah, the crowd is there to cheer us up.” It was the fun, the wave, the drums, and the screaming. We really felt it. He gave us energy.
Evelyn Fiennes, striker
After the first half, Vince played alongside Quebec defender Vanessa Gilles. They were joined by another local defender, Gabriel Karl, who was part of the starting lineup.
“It was a game that meant a lot to me,” Karl said in a video conference. It’s my home, my home. I think I did well. ”
If the New Zealand side are swinging more than they did in the previous game, the Canadian defense rarely worries. Stéphanie Labbé must have noticed a shot from outside the box at 26NS Accurate. The visitors had better luck at this meeting.
‘New Zealand really played better’
The maple leaf attacks came in waves after Leon’s goal. This trend slowed towards the end of the match, when New Zealand sought to equalise.
“New Zealand really played better than the last match,” Gabriel Karl said. It was more difficult and difficult than before. ”
Photo by Sarah Mungo Burkett, press
Canadian coach Bev Priestman agrees.
“It wasn’t a great performance on our part,” she commented. We expected it, with the many changes and lack of chemistry that came with it. We had a good time, but they were not supported. ”
All credit goes to New Zealand. They played in a much better organized way.
Bev Priestman, Canadian coach
Olympic champions were greeted one by one, medals around their necks, during the pre-match festivities. Kristen Sinclair, Stephanie Labe, Vanessa Giles, Quebec, Evelyn Vince and Gabriel Karl have been warmly praised.
“Formidable” supporters
In contrast, the Canadians greeted their fans as they toured Saputo Stadium after the final whistle.
“We felt the love of the fans,” the pastor said. This night was exceptional. […] He helped us throughout the game. It wasn’t always smooth, and sometimes we couldn’t keep the ball. But there was love there. ”
Evelyne Viens debuted in 2020 in the United States, in the midst of an epidemic. Her parents and family have never had a chance to see a pro play. They were there on a Tuesday night.
“I kind of forgot what it was like for me to play at home, to play in front of my family,” said the Gotham NBA forward. To see my brother, friends and family… Appreciate that they drove on Tuesday evening. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to play in Montreal.
“This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.”
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