Short-handed Canadian WNT faces tough test in key friendlies against Australia

The 2023 FIFA World Cup is more than 10 months away, but the Canadian women's team's preparations begin in earnest this week. 

Canada plays the first of two international friendlies against Australia on Saturday at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The two sides will meet again on Sept. 6 at Sydney's new Allianz Stadium.

These games are very important for the reigning Olympic champions, as they'll help them prepare and acclimatize for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20, 2023. 

Beyond getting used to the conditions, it's also vitally important that Canada takes advantage of every international window between now and then to test itself against tough opponents, the likes of which it could face at the World Cup. Australia fits that bill, as it sits No. 12 in the current FIFA world rankings, five spots below Canada.

Australia is also one of the few nations that has a winning record against Canada, as it leads the all-time series with seven wins and three draws in 16 meetings since their first game against each other on Dec. 12, 1997. In their previous encounter, Canada earned a 2-0 win during the group stage of the 2016 Rio Olympic tournament. 

"I've scouted this Australian team well now for a few weeks, and they're a top side, I've got to say. They look physical. They remind me of a U.S.-type [team], and we'll have to defend well against them, and they're a great defensive team, too," Priestman stated. 

Australia's roster includes Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, who was the top scorer in England's FA WSL last season, and finished third in voting for the 2021 Ballon d'Or Féminin, awarded to the best player in the world. Also named to the squad were defender Steph Catley and forward Caitlin Foord of Arsenal, and Manchester City defender Alanna Kennedy. 

"She's an absolute handful. … She's a top player that we have to pay respect to," Priestman said of Kerr.

WATCH | Signa Butler breaks down Canada's newest players:

Canadian women's team face a tough challenge against Australia ahead of 2023 World Cup

2 years ago

Duration 1:48

Host Signa Butler breaks down the upcoming friendlies for the Canadian women's national team against Australia.

Key starters missing

There are some notable absences in Priestman's 22-player roster for these two games. Defender Kadeisha Buchanan, fullbacks Vanessa Gilles and Jayde Riviere, and forward Deanne Rose have been ruled out by injuries. Fullback Ashley Lawrence is unavailable due to personal reasons. All of them were part of Canada's gold-medal team at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I think you really can't hide from the fact that [we're] missing some key starters," Priestman admitted.

Priestman has called up two newcomers in midfielder Simi Awujo and forward Clarissa Larisey. Awujo, 18 and born in Atlanta, is a sophomore at the University of Southern California, and recently competed for Canada at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Larisey, a 23-year-old from Ottawa, joined Celtic from Icelandic champions Valur last summer after cutting her teeth in NCAA soccer with the Memphis Tigers, where she scored 31 goals in 48 games across three years.

"She probably could play across multiple positions, winger, a No. 9 [forward], maybe the No. 10 [playmaker], she's played wingback, as well," Priestman said. "So, when you talk about that versatility for tournament rosters, I think that opened the door for her.

"Plus, individually, what I've seen from her, she's got pace, she's direct, she scores goals."

Tactical evolution

Priestman wants to build on Canada's tactical evolution that took foot at the CONCACAF W Championship, feeling that the Reds can't afford to stand still or they run the risk of falling behind, if this summer's European Championship is anything to go by.

"I feel like we're moving forward," Priestman said. "It's just a case now of trying to cement our roster, trying to see who could be in our 23 come next summer. And then tactically, we are evolving, [changing] some things, and trying to work on being the fittest team at the World Cup, as those little things I think can make all the difference.

"Look at the Euros, the standard of the game has gone up again, so fit teams, tactically organized teams — those are the standard of the women's game now."

Canada's group stage opponents for next summer's FIFA World Cup will be determined during the official draw on Oct. 22 in Auckland.