Canada’s women over 50 secured a bronze medal at the World Nations Cup of walking soccer by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout in Torrevieja, Spain. The game ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time, with Pauline Fisher scoring for Canada in the first half and Australia equalizing in the second half.
The match went into a penalty shootout, where Canada emerged victorious with a 2-1 win after three rounds of penalties. Goalkeeper Fatima Harris, who had previously kept three clean sheets in the tournament, made two crucial saves during the shootout and scored the winning penalty.
Defender Negar Farjadnia expressed the team’s unity and joy in celebrating with Harris after the decisive penalty, highlighting the camaraderie among the players. Canada concluded the group stage with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
In the semifinals, Canada suffered a 1-0 defeat against eventual champions France, narrowly missing an equalizer from a stoppage-time free kick. This competition marked Canada’s inaugural participation in the women’s division of the World Nations Cup.
Farjadnia emphasized the significance of representing Canada on a global platform, embodying values of peace, diversity, and unity. The World Nations Cup, organized by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations, featured teams from 21 countries competing across different age categories.
England dominated the tournament by winning five out of the six titles but was defeated by France in the women’s over 50 final. Team Canada’s coach, Greg Mitchell, praised the competitive nature of the women’s division, showcasing the growing popularity and competitiveness of walking soccer worldwide.