ORLANDO – Canada waited until stoppage time to overcome a determined Argentina side for a 1-0 win at Exploria Stadium on Sunday night. With the win the side stays alive in the She Believes Cup.
Sarah Stratigakis scored the winner after a long free-kick from Janine Beckie found Jessie Flemming who played it into the box. Startigakis slid into the ball stabbing it home to avoid having to settle for the point.
It could have been a two-goal win with another chance late in the match, Deanne Rose used her speed to get to a lose ball and then swung it into the box. That ball fell for Beckie who squared for Evelyne Viens who headed wide.
The win was the first for Bev Priestman after she replaced Kenneth Heiner-Moller who left the team last summer to return to his native Norway.
There were three debuts for Canada with Samantha Chang, Jade Rose, and Jordan Listro making their first appearance for the senior side. In addition Viens made her second appearance and goal-scorer Stratigakis made her third.
“It wasn’t our prettiest game, but I think as a group we found a way to win and that’s what the best teams do. We got to see more young players in the lineup and for the group we got to see them face some adversity and some frustration through playing a tough opponent. That happens in tournament football, but we knew the goal would come through the group being patient and believing in themselves.”
Canada Head Coach, Bev Priestman
Canada could have opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Jessie Fleming was able to get on the end of a botched clearance, but her header was well saved by Laurina Oliveros.
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It was a case of missing opportunities, the biggest coming in the 50th minute when the ball was loose in the box but it was Oliveros who was quickest to react.
Argentina nearly opened the scoring in the 65th minute as Soledad James got on the end of a cross and headed to goal only for the crossbar to deny her efforts.
Photo: Canada Soccer
Florida Soccer Report 