Early World Cup exit for Canada, Sinclair likely signals end of era

MELBOURNE, Australia : Canada's Olympic champions are heading home from the Women's World Cup stunned and heartbroken - and still without a medal in the tournament from eight appearances.

The Canadians, who were wildly inconsistent this tournament, crumpled in a 4-0 loss to Australia on Monday that likely robbed talisman Christine Sinclair the opportunity of ever climbing the World Cup podium in her illustrious career.

Sinclair, the face of Canadian soccer for two decades, has not announced her immediate plans, but at age 40 she is one of the oldest players in the game. The end of an era seems imminent.

The seventh-ranked Canadians were considered among the favourites Down Under after their historic gold in Tokyo. But drawn into Group B, the tournament's "group of death", the difference that separated the four teams was indeed razor-thin.

Still, Canada's toughest opponent was themselves. Coach Bev Priestman had said when her rattled team "plays brave" they can be unstoppable. Bravery was scarce supply in Australia.

"I keep saying the word but 'belief,' and the group I've got in front of me are world class players and can be a world class team. We just need to believe it," Priestman told reporters after Monday's elimination.

Canada are the first Olympic champions to be eliminated in the group stage of the next World Cup.

The Canadians opened the tournament with a shaky scoreless draw against Nigeria that saw Sinclair miss a penalty kick.

She has scored more international goals than any player on the planet - 190 - but the enduring image of Sinclair on her knees, face buried in her hands said it was that missed goal she will not soon forget.

Katie McCabe's stunning direct corner kick just four minutes in Canada's second game