Canada prepares for physical challenge against Iceland in Spain

In a recent international women's soccer friendly, the Canadian ladies' team is set to face Iceland in Spain, given the physicality they will encounter from their opponents. The Icelandic team, ranked No. 13, had a successful qualifying campaign with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Canada has also begun integrating young talent into the squad, with players such as Janet Okeke and Nyah Rose receiving their first senior call-ups after participating in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Notably, Canada holds a favorable all-time record against Iceland with two previous encounters, registered as a scoreless draw in February 2019 and a 1-0 victory in March 2016. After facing Iceland, Canada will meet South Korea, ranked No. 19, in the same venue, marking their commitment to fielding a competitive team despite the absence of key players due to injuries. The head coach, Tye, emphasizes the importance of showcasing the squad's quality, particularly in transitional phases of the game, to maintain their competitive edge against a challenging Icelandic side. Tye has also indicated her current lack of interest in the Canadian coaching position on a permanent basis, focusing instead on her role with the Under-20 women's team and her full-time job as associate athletic director and women’s head coach at Dalhousie University in Halifax.