Schmidt strikes as Canada beats England in World Cup warm-up
Canada enjoyed an ideal warm-up eight days ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, winning 1-0 over England in a friendly at Hamilton.
A goal from London 2012 Olympian Sophie Schmidt at the 23rd minute was the difference between the sides, as Canada beat the team that got away from them in the Cyprus Cup back in March.
The lone goal was a terrific finish from the Canada midfielder, running on to a low cross from the right channel by Josée Bélanger to the top of the box, where Schmidt’s first-touch with the right foot expertly sent the ball to the top left corner behind England keeper Karen Bardsley for the 1-0 lead.
Schmidt nearly scored a second goal eight minutes later, this time from a set-piece on her left foot, missing the opposite corner of the England goal by half a metre.
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Some residual chances arrived from a gritty second period in the steel city for both teams, but nothing would come from the half chances, although at the 84th minute hometown Olympian Melissa Tancredi got behind the England defence, however her shot from a tight angle was comfortably held by Bardsley.
A scare came for Canada at the 87th minute when Fara Williams fired one from 30 yards, hitting the crossbar from distance.
Canada’s next match will be the Women’s World Cup opener in Edmonton against China on June 6.
