Canada 1-0 Germany (21/2/22)
Above: Vanessa Giles (24) celebrates her goal with Ashley Lawrence (10) and Desiree Scott (11). Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
By Darrell Allen at Carrow Road for Impetus with EXCLUSIVE photos from pitchside from Hannah Parnell.
Three hours after the Lionesses match against Spain concluded, Carrow Road hosted its second match of the day in the Arnold Clark Cup with Canada and Germany facing off as both teams looked to be the first winner of a match in the competition.
Storm Franklin continued to batter Norwich between the two games with howling wind and torrential downpours still happening as the second game of the day got underway.
A very disappointing crowd of just 119 were in attendance in one half of the Geoffrey Watling City Stand just alongside where the Canada dugout was situated. It was not a huge surprise that the number was so low as a combination of a three hour wait between matches, terrible weather, and a bad kick off time for families with a Sunday night 8.15pm start not something that you ever associate with football in England.
The game started brightly with very good opening exchanges both teams knocking the ball around well.
It was Canada who got themselves the advantage on seven minutes when Beckie played in a wonderful corner which was headed down and into the bottom right-hand corner by Gilles.
Canada tried to capitalize on their productive start when Prince broke well but the attack was cleared well by Brand.
Germany began growing into the game after Canada’s positive opening exchanges and Anyomi fed Buhi through on goal but it was intercepted well by Buchanan for Canada.
The game was being played at a fast and frenetic pace and was very pleasing on the eye.
Germany captain Lina Mangull fired a shot that hit Gilles arm, but penalty appeals were waved away by referee Emikar Caldera. It wasn’t to be the only penalty appeal of the evening.
As we headed towards the half-hour mark, both teams were happy playing their passing game, but with both defences playing well, there was little to write home about in this phase of the first half in terms of chances.
Germany upped the anti and Magull floated in a free-kick but it was easily headed away.
Beckie then curled a shot wide. Canada were in the groove as Lawrence found Prince who turned Doorsoun with a sublime piece of skill but couldn’t produce a finish. By far the best piece of football of the entire day and a move that had real wow factor but sadly for Canada no end product.
The first half ended with a series of Germany chances Magull to Buhi who curled inside and forced a save from Sheridan in the Canada goal.
Another Germany corner was cleared by Prince before Dongus fired sky high and over the bar.
The final Germany corner was cleared before being put back in and headed clear as Canada dome well to protect their lead and head into the break leading.
The second half began with a Canada chance as Prince was through on goal but fired over the bar.
A good Germany break followed but Buhi was superbly intercepted on the penalty spot.
Germany then put an inswinger of a corner which went everywhere but nothing to show after an incredible scramble.
A game that ebbed and flowed twisted and turned then saw Prince taken out by Chelsea star Ann-Katrin Berger in the Germany goal but appeals were again waved away. Germany fired a free-kick over as they continued to build. Gwinn was dragged back after Gilles lost balance but penalty appeals were again waved away.
German pressure continued and Anyomi found Gwinn but it was saved by Sheridan’s legs.
Corners were being significantly affected by wind as the Storm Franklin continued to rage through Carrow Road.
Lots of Germany pressure followed and a lot of set plays were being won. A free kick by Rauch was headed wide by Schuller. With 12 minutes to play Germany kept knocking on the door Dabritz and Dallmann both had scrappy shots which didn’t come to anything.
All the action was in the Canada half as Germany continued to try desperately for an equalizer. Rose put it into Berger’s hands in a rare second-half chance for Canada.
A series of Germany corners were all then wind-assisted and went all the way through the box and out the other side. In a frenetic finale where it was attack after attack from Germany, Dabritz played in Dallmann and it was cleared but Rall then lashed a shot towards goal.
Four minutes of added time were signalled and through its entirety Germany laid siege to Canada. Corners were earned, the closest of which was cleared but Dabritz floated it back in for Schuller to head towards goal but the keeper saved.
The game ended with Canada breaking and Beckie crossed but it ended up in Ann-Katrin Berger’s hands and there was no time left for Germany to force any more attacks.
This was a win for the Olympic champions that required hard work, determination, team spirit, and togetherness as Canada stood firm through the German onslaught to protect their early lead.
Germany will be frustrated. They created more than enough and should definitely have had at least one penalty, but Canada did themselves proud and defended together as a unit to become the first winners of a match at the Arnold Clark Cup.
They have now put themselves in pole position to take the trophy in the final round of games in Wolverhampton on Wednesday night when they play Spain. Germany will face England and the Lionesses will have to perform well defensively to deny Germany a result. It promises to be an exciting day on Wednesday to decide the tournament.
Teams: CANADA (4-1-2-1-2): Sheridan, Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence, Scott, Lacasse, Quinn, Fleming, Prince, Beckie.
Scorer: Gilles 7′.
GERMANY (4-4-2): Berger, Doorsoun, Feldkamp, Kleinherne, Rauch, Freigang, Magull, Dongus, Buhl, Brand, Anyomi.
Referee: Emikar Caldera (VEN).
Attendance: 119.
Further Canada v Germany photos from Hannah Parnell:
impetusfootball.org 