Match Report:

It was Canada all the way until the last minute of the first half when Yumi Arima burst the banks with Japan’s first goal when already eight behind. It was a quick conversion of extra-man attack that caught Canada off guard. Previously, Canada enjoyed a solid flow of goals with Monika Eggens with three, captain Krystina Alogbo with the second and third from centre forward and fellow two-metre player Elyse Lemay-Lavoie netting twice, either side of Arima’s effort. Japanese captain Kotori Suzuki (penalty) and Arima scored back-to-back goals to trim the difference to 9-3 in the third before Canada finished the period at 11-3 through Axelle Crevier on extra and Kindred Paul from the penalty line. For Japan to level the quarter after a torrid first half was some redemption. The tightness continued in the final quarter, although Canada did spray some open goals, which could have made the margin even bigger. To lose by only one goal in the second half is was what Japan is capable of in the top echelon.

“It’s always exciting playing a team with a different style. It allows you to try new and different things. At 8-0 up the hardest thing is to try and keep up the pace. Once ahead we kept our motivation. We still have lots to work on. The best thing was the way we started. In the Intercontinental Cup (in April), Japan was 2-0 (at the start). Finally we’ve figured out how to start.”

“In the Intercontinental Cup the result was 13-15. Canada is much more powerful. Number 8 (Elyse Lemay-Lavoie) and Number 2 (Krystina Alogbo) are much stronger than our girls. Number 5 (Monika Eggens) is also very strong with her shooting and interceptions. The main problem was definitely the first quarter because Japan players are not very fast swimmers. At halftime our coach told the girls to be quicker on offence and not allow the Canadian passes. The third quarter was also very good.”