Canada urged to be brave in do-or-die Australia clash at World Cup

Canada’s coach Bev Priestman attends a press conference in Melbourne on July 30, 2023, on the eve of the Women’s World Cup football match between Canada and Australia. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Canada coach Bev Priestman called on her team to be brave Sunday and put any noise around Australia skipper Sam Kerr aside for their seismic Women’s World Cup showdown against the co-hosts.

The Tokyo Olympic champions will power into the last 16 with a win or draw in their high-stakes Group B clash in Melbourne on Monday.

But to do so they must tame a fired-up country hell-bent on victory to guarantee their own progression after being shocked 3-2 by Nigeria last week.

Making matters more complicated, Chelsea striker Kerr, who missed Australia’s opening two games with a calf injury, has declared herself available to play.

With both teams’ fate hanging in the balance, Priestman said she expected Canada to rise to the occasion.

“There’s a lot around about what might come up in front of us, but ultimately I know this team and if we turn up, we can go and get three points,” said the English coach.

“The focus is to be brave and bring what we bring and bring it well.”

After Canada played out a sluggish goalless draw with surprise-package Nigeria in their opening match, they rallied from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in a gutsy performance that instilled confidence.

Veteran captain Christine Sinclair appeared to be limping late in that contest but is fit to play, the coach said.

The Matildas, who battled past the Irish 1-0 before their stunning upset at the hands of Nigeria, must win to guarantee they stay in the tournament.

They will have Kerr back, but it is not clear exactly what part she will play for Tony Gustavsson’s team.

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