Arnold Clark Cup: Canada ready to go up a gear

When Canada's women's soccer team struck gold last summer at the Tokyo Olympics, it was their best ever achievement.

"We've probably landed on the podium from being a very difficult team to beat," Canada coach Bev Priestman told DW at a recent press conference.

"I think that's who we are. We'll work harder than anyone... I think that's the DNA of this team, that we're a really difficult team to beat."

Now Canada are looking to take it up a notch. Priestman said they want to "go beyond the medal" and have their sights set on the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Arnold Clark Cup is a round-robin tournament involving four of the top10 women's teams in the FIFA rankings –  England, Germany, Spain and Canada –  and is organized by the English Football Association. The competition takes place at three English venues – Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium, Norwich's Carrow Road, and Wolverhampton's Molineux – and begins on February 17.

Ready to 'climb a new mountain'

Canada are currently sixth in the FIFA women's rankings but the Arnold Clark Cup is a key test of the team's credentials against quality opposition.

"We want to be competing with the best continuously," the 35-year-old Priestman, who hails from England, said. "We want to keep moving forward."

To move forward, Canada must build on their Olympic gold in Tokyo with a strong performance at the next World Cup, but in the past, Canada's performances on the biggest stage have left a lot to be desired. They have struggled to get out of the group stage and their best-ever finish was the semifinals in 2003.

There's been a recent upturn, though. At the 2015 World Cup, Canada reached the quarterfinals on home soil and the world recognized the talent of then-19-year-old Kadeisha Buchanan, who won the award as best young player at the tournament. She has since gone on to play over 100 times in Canada's back line. In 2019, Canada made it out of the group stage but lost in the last-16 to Sweden – although revenge against the Swedes would follow two years later in that gold-medal match at the Olympics in Tokyo.

"We know from the last World Cup seven of the eight teams from the knockout rounds were from Europe. So we have to get the experience playing European teams." Priestman said.

Expectations are higher now too.  After winning Olympic gold, this team has a "completely different mountain to climb."

The gap is closing

Canada doesn't have a professional women's league, so many of Canadians ply their trade in the United States or Europe.

Buchanan is a four-time Champions League winner with French giants Lyon, while goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé and forward Jordyn Huitema are at Paris Saint-Germain. Forward Janine Beckie is at Manchester City in the Women's Super League while many of the others play their club football in the United States. 

Probably no Canadian player is better known than 38-year-old captain Christine Sinclair, who plays in the United States for the Portland Thorns. Often described as the greatest player of all time, with 188 goals in 308 appearances, she holds the international scoring record for both women and men.

Yet despite their individual quality, the Canadians haven't always struck the right balance, often struggling to impose themselves as an attacking force. However, Priestman thinks women's international football is wide open right now.

"If you look at the teams in the top 10, it's closer than it's ever been.” Priestman said. "I think the women's game has moved so far. Any team in that top 10 can go and win a World Cup or the Euros."

Canada on the rise

While the gap is closing, it's hard not to shake off the feeling that Canada remains one of the most underappreciated women's soccer teams in the world.

The recent snub at the FIFPro World XI was indicative of that obscurity – not a single Canadian player made it despite winning Olympic gold.

Despite a lack of mainstream appreciation, Canada's Olympic victory has pushed them to the forefront, forcing many to take notice –  that extends to two-time world champions Germany.

"They're not (underestimated) anymore but I think for a long time they were. They were never quite considered top favorites," Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg told DW ahead of the Arnold Clark Cup. "But they always showed that they're good for a surprise and produce great individual players."

Canada has all the ingredients to take it to the next level and to ensure Tokyo is a stepping stone to greater success. No one underestimates them anymore and that's a new reality for Canada to get used to.

Edited by: Michael Da Silva