There are still more questions than answers when it comes to the “probably forthcoming” Tokyo Olympics. The IOC and most sport outlets say the show will go on, but serious doubts were cast a couple of weeks ago when The Times, a publication not given to hyperbole, suggested that Tokyo was desperately looking for an exit strategy.
The uncertainty is bad enough for us as spectators, but imagine how the participants feel. All they can do is press on under the assumption that everything is going ahead as planned. That’s exactly the mindset that Canada women’s soccer team has adopted, as they have scheduled a friendly against their old rivals from across the Atlantic to take place in April.
Renewing an old rivalry
Canada and England have faced off against one another 13 times in all over the past 25 years, and while England have the slight edge with seven wins to Canada’s six, it was Canada that emerged victorious following their most recent encounter in April 2019. Canada have won two of the last three encounters between the two teams, but prior to that, it was four on the spin for England.
This one has the bookmakers scratching their heads, with providers like Comeon Canada quoting England as slight favourites for the win, but only by the narrowest of margins. That’s probably down to the broader picture and world rankings – England are currently ranked sixth on 1999 points, with Canada joint seventh on 1958, so there really is very little to call between them.
As well as a history of closely-fought encounters, there are other factors that bind these two teams. Canada’s head coach Bev Priestman was formerly the assistant head coach of the England team, while Rhian Wilkinson, the former Canada international, left her coaching role with Canada to become an assistant coach to the England team.
Blowing away the cobwebs
Canada Soccer is describing the encounter with England as an away match, although the exact venue has yet to be announced. As far as the players are concerned, they would probably be happy to play it on the moon, just as long as they can get out in the middle for some proper competitive action. It’s worth remembering that the team has not played as a unit since the 2-2 draw against Brazil almost a year ago.
However, if all goes to plan, there should be more opportunities to blow away some cobwebs over the coming weeks. Canada is scheduled to participate in the SheBelieves Cup, an invitational event in which USA, Argentina and Brazil will be the other participants.
All of this will be great experience, but everyone inevitably has half an eye on Tokyo and the biggest prize of all. Canada have collected bronze in the last two Olympics and will be desperate to go at least one better this year. As for England, they will, as usual, form part of the Great Britain entry. For now, though, all we can do is continue to watch and wait.
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