France defeats Canada inn fifth place semifinal, Women’s National Team plays for seventh on Sunday
This morning’s early match between France and Canada kicked off at 9am local time, 4am in Vancouver, BC for the pacific coast fans. During a scoreless first half, both teams had chances, both teams showed flashes but France generally carried the play. They doubled down on that momentum into the second half and made their mark.
Two third quarter penalty corner goals, one off the stick of Emma van der Zanden and one from Mathilde Dufrene, were all the difference in this one. Pauline Veruza added a field goal in the last 10 minutes, and France comfortably won 3-0. In the second half, France upped their pace, earning eight penalty corners and cashing in on two of them. Canada defended well all match, and Marcia LaPlante was strong in net again for Canada, as she has faced some serious action at this event. Ultimately, it was just too much for the Canadian side as their cracks started to show in the third and fourth.
Again the attacking core of Chloe Walton, Nicole Poulakis and Mikayla Stelling showed flashes in the counter attack. Speed and skill is on display when this Canadian side gets going. Right now, it’s about generating more consistency in the attacking zone. This is a young side that is showing all kinds of promise this week in Santiago. Canada will face Switzerland tomorrow in the 7th place match to close out their 2026 WCQ campaign. Watch the match live on FIH Watch Hockey.
Canada and France play in the fifth place semifinals in Chile. Photos/Yan Huckendubler.
Scottish Penalty corner unit too much for Canada in fifth place match
Scottish goalkeeper Thomas Alexander is well-deserving of a pat on the back from his squad this afternoon, as he turned away three-four high danger chances in the first quarter, keeping his team level heading into the second. From that point on, Scotland made their move.
The penalty corner pieces were the major difference in this one. Scotland’s PC specialist Jamie Golden scored five from the drag flick spot and added another from a penalty stroke. In the field, the game felt wide-open at times, back and forth, with both teams trading chances. Ultimately Scotland earned far more results in the circle and that was the difference maker in this game.
Canada’s lone goal came off the stick of captain Matt Sarmento as Devohn Noronha Teixeira crashed a long ball into the diving skipper. It was a thing of beauty and a well-deserved goal in the third quarter for a team that had pressed regularly and earned several high-quality chances with nothing to show for it.
Canada and Scotland play for fifth in Santiago. Photos/Yan Huckendubler.
Canada finishes sixth place with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses. The team will feel disappointed ultimately, with the final positioning and missing out on a World Cup bid, but will feel proud about certain stretches including the thorough win over Korea, the comeback against Chile and chunks of each game where they showed real attacking chops.
A major takeaway from this week’s action in Santiago is the young attacking core for Canada. Robin Thind looks to be a young, emerging world class striking talent. He only found the net once at the tournament but was instrumental in many of Canada’s circle entries, corners earned and attacking chances. Hudson Loh bagged a goal in the Chile win and Jude Nicholson scored three goals at the tournament. Sean Davis was the danger-man all week long, scoring three goals and constantly putting defenders in conflict.
