Tough loss in Olympic opener
The women’s soccer team looked ready and showed it as the first Canadians to take the field of play in official Olympic action at the London 2012 Games Wednesday against World Cup champs Japan.
However, the women came up a marker shy, losing 2-1 at the City of Coventry Stadium.
After a quiet 30 minutes, it was Japan that struck first on an impressive finish from Nahomi Kawasumi who tucked away a back-pass from Shinobue Ohno that got behind Canadian keeper Erin Mcleod.
Half time saw the Japanese up 2-0 after McLeod lost a race to a header ball with Japanese captain Aya Miyama.
Mellissa Tancredi answered for Canada early in the second half on a pass from Rhian Wilkinson, but that was as close as it would get for the first Canadians in official Olympic action.
The women will face South Africa on July 28.
