Canada Women’s U-17 side preparing for big matchup against Brazil in the Quarterfinals

Getting ready for a huge match against one of South America’s top nations

Sale, Morocco- Canada’s Under-17 Women’s National Team is having a strong tournament. They had a clean sweep in the group stage and blew away a Zambia side with a six-goal clean sheet victory. Two Goals from Daniela Feria-Estrada and the rest from Melisa Kekic, Mya Angus, Chloe Taylor, and Amy Medley. Now they have a big Quarterfinal match against Brazil, and this one will be huge.

Canada’s run in the tournament so far

This Under-17 side has been marvelous in their first four matches of the tournament. They took four straight victories over Nigeria, Samoa, and France, and they just defeated Zambia in the round of 16. Head Coach Jen Hurst must be very proud of how her team has performed.

“I think it’s been a great run. We’ve been, I think, one of the keys is that we’ve been enjoying ourselves. We have such a great team morale, and we really enjoy ourselves both on and off the pitch. We have this great unity and togetherness that we want to strive for, and we want to do well for each other.

I think the run has come through a lot of hard work, and the players have really bought into what we’re trying to do: the game plan, the philosophy that I’m trying to get across to them. They’ve really bought into that, and it’s been wonderful to see.

They’re even repeating it themselves now, which is great! We hear them saying things when they’re watching footage, and they’re even having conversations with each other. And so they’ve really taken on board everything that I’m trying to do. So that’s been fantastic as well.”

Brazil is up next in the Quarterfinals

As we all know, Brazil is one of the best and most technical sides in world football, men’s or women’s. They will be a very tough opponent, and with this high-profile match, they are moving it to the Olympic Stadium in Rabat to give it the necessary spectacle it deserves. But Hurst knows what she needs to do to get them ready for this big matchup.

“From Brazil, I’m expecting, you know, a typical Brazilian match. They’re technical, they’re creative, they like to go on their 1v1s and dribble. We’re expecting shots from distance, we’re expecting crosses. And then out of possession, they’re very man-marking. Not as typical as a Brazilian, you. would expect, but extremely man-marking.

So, every single person on the field is going to be man-marked, and they’re going to be tight. And so, that’s what we’re expecting on and off the. And then, in terms of Olympic Stadium, it’s quite full circle actually because when we first arrived at the tournament, we went to watch the opening game at the Olympic Stadium, and it was Brazil versus Morocco.

So now we’re going to the Olympic Stadium for the first time ourselves to play Brazil. And we’ll be at the bench that we were sat behind, so it’s a nice full circle moment for us. We’ve just had a staff meeting five minutes ago and looked at the facility for the first time, and looked at the changing rooms. It’s a much grander stadium; it’s a much grander changing room, and it’s going to feel really good in terms of the atmosphere. And it’s going to feel different for the players for sure.”

Team Unity has been fantastic

There is a lot of chemistry going on over there with this Under-17 Women’s Team, and it’s making Hurst excited to see them actually coming together and being unified in all their matches up to this point. The best teams are always communicating with each other, and it looks like they are a close-knit group.

“No, it’s surpassed my expectations. I think I really do try to make sure that we are a strong unit off the field, and I do really emphasize that. trust and that togetherness that we have those bonds on and off the I think having those tight bonds is what that connection off the field is what you then see on the field in terms of how we fight for each other.

But even the connection that we have in possession, you can see that this team’s connected the way that we’re possessing the So I think what surprised me is just how well they’ve connected, and especially the surprise of bringing in some new players this camp. Two new players who are dual citizens fit right in with the two of them.

And then even I think a further five players, two of which Naomi and Fleisha. It’s just their second camp. And Danny, Amy, and I believe there’s one more, but it’s passing my mind now, are new as well. So I think it’s even just the, you know, having those new players in.

And I was just sitting at dinner talking to a few of the staff, and they’re chatting; they’re having a good time, and they’re enjoying themselves. And that’s great to see. And you see it on the field and how we play and how we celebrate for sure.”

This will be a big moment for this Under-17 Women’s National Team if they can do the impossible and advance to the Semi-Finals. But first, take care of Brazil, and they must play their game. Let’s hope Jen Hurst and her team can do the job and advance.

Canada Soccer News:

• Canada Women’s Under 17 side with a Clean Sweep in the Group Stage
• Jen Hurst is the new Canada Women’s U-17 Head Coach
• Jesse Marsch discusses October Friendly games against Australia and Colombia for CANMNT

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