Veteran skipper Christine Sinclair warned on Thursday that Olympic champions Canada can beat anyone at the Women’s World Cup, saying: “This team is full of rock stars.”
Ranked seventh, they face a potentially tricky opening clash
against Nigeria on Friday in Melbourne in a formidable Group B.
They will also meet co-hosts Australia and debutants Ireland
in their bid to make the knockout rounds.
Sinclair, the all-time leading scorer in international
football and at her sixth World Cup, warned against underestimating her side.
“We were overlooked heading into the Tokyo Olympics and
showed what we can do,” said the 40-year-old forward, who has scored an
incredible 190 goals in 323 appearances for her country.
“We can beat any team in the world. It’s contagious
(winning), you want to do it again and it’s just motivated us to prove to the
world what we can do again.”
Canada have qualified for every World Cup except the first
in 1991, with a fourth-placed finish in 2003 the highlight so far. They were
knocked out in the round of 16 in France four years ago.
They enter the tournament hosted by Australia and New
Zealand after a disrupted build-up that saw them threaten to strike over pay,
funding and contractual issues.
Injuries have also dogged them. Striker Janine Beckie, with
36 goals in her 101 appearances, is absent after surgery on a knee problem.
Veteran midfielder Desiree Scott and rising star Jade Rose
are also missing.
Despite the absentees Sinclair said: “This team is full of
rock stars, full of class.”
Like Canada, Nigeria have also been embroiled in controversy
in the build-up.
The team clashed with their national federation over bonuses
and had threatened to boycott their opening game.
Coach Randy Waldrum refused to comment at their pre-match
press conference, but Sevilla striker Toni Payne, sitting next to him, replied
“No” when asked if the boycott threat still stood.
“I think everyone should expect to see a super-united team,
a team that is extremely strong and talented and ready to put up their best
performance,” she said, while admitting they were slightly intimidated by Canada.
“Yeah, of course, when you’re playing a team who wins
championships it can be a little intimidating.
“But tomorrow our team has all the confidence that we will
beat them.”
The two sides have played each other twice before at World
Cups.
In 1995 they drew 3-3 while Nigeria won the second match 16
years later 1-0.
Like Canada, the Super Falcons have plenty of World Cup
pedigree, appearing at every tournament since its inception.
They also boast a 40-year-old in her sixth World Cup, like
Sinclair, in centre-back and captain Onome Ebi.
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