Canadian women cap disappointing SheBelieves Cup with error-riddled loss to Japan

Canada, paying for defensive errors, lost 3-0 to Japan in its final outing at the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday.

Playing under the cloud of a labour dispute with Canada Soccer, the sixth-ranked Canadian women finished 1-2-0 at the four-team tournament. It was a disappointing finale with Canada conceding three goals for the first time since a 3-0 loss to the U.S. in the final of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship in February 2020.

After an even start to the game, the 11th-ranked Japanese — also 1-2-0 — began to take control midway through the first half.

Kiko Seike opened the scoring in the 26th minute, tucking the ball under goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo after a Rikako Kobayashi pass found the Canadian defence wanting with centre back Shelina Zadorsky caught out of position. It was Japan's first goal of the tournament.

Yui Hasegawa made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 41st minute after Jun Endo nutmegged Kadeisha Buchanan and was taken down by the Canadian defender at the goal-line edge of the penalty box.

Canada was compromised again in the 77th minute when an unmarked Endo took a feed from Hinata Miyazawa and beat a defenceless Sheridan with a powerful shot from close-range. Japan came close to making it 4-0 in the 90th minute with the Canada defence caught short one more time.

The Canadians entered play Wednesday in second place in the tournament standings, above Brazil on goal difference.

The U.S. played Brazil in the nightcap at Toyota Stadium, needing a win or a draw to win the tournament for a fourth consecutive year and the sixth time overall.

Canada rebounded from a flat performance in a 2-0 loss to the top-ranked U.S. in Orlando last Thursday to defeat No. 9 Brazil 2-0 in Nashville on Sunday.

Japan