The Canadian women’s soccer team faced another setback as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Japan in a friendly match in Nagasaki. Japan, ranked eighth, dominated the game with goals from Momoko Tanikawa, Mina Tanaka, and Aoba Fujino at the 20,000-seat Peace Stadium.
Canada’s assistant coach, Natalie Henderson, acknowledged the team’s challenging phase and expressed the desire to improve their performance. Despite some positive aspects in the game, Canada struggled to maintain consistency.
This defeat marked Canada’s fourth consecutive loss, with their last victory against Japan dating back to March 2018. The two teams are set to meet again in Canada’s final match of the year at Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki.
The Canadian team, currently holding a record of 6-5-1 for 2025, faced a tough series of losses against Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States earlier in the year. This losing streak is the longest since 2019, including a defeat to Sweden in the World Cup.
In the recent match, Japan outperformed Canada, with Tanikawa and Tanaka capitalizing on defensive errors to secure goals. Despite some promising moments from Canada’s Holly Ward, Japan’s consistent pressure led to a convincing victory.
The Canadian lineup featured new players compared to their previous game, with key absences including Olivia Smith due to injury. The team also missed several players due to injuries and other circumstances, affecting their performance on the field.
As Canada looks to regroup and end the year on a positive note, they will need to address their scoring drought and defensive vulnerabilities to bounce back from their recent defeats.
