Canada delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Zambia, but head coach Casey Stoney insisted the scoreline did not fully reflect the challenge posed by the Copper Queens.
Speaking after the match, Stoney acknowledged that while there was a clear difference in quality between the two sides, Zambia had moments where they made life difficult for her team.
“I thought they did what we thought they would do. I thought they played well in terms of possession at times. They went direct, they caused us a few problems,” she said.
The win puts Canada in a strong position in the competition, but Stoney suggested the performance was not without its complications. Despite controlling much of the game, her side at times struggled to break down Zambia’s defensive organisation.
“And I thought they had a decent game today because they made it difficult at times for us to break the down,” she added. “It is a shame we didn’t have too many fans in. I am sure there will be later tonight (Brazil game).”
Zambia, who were largely on the back foot for much of the encounter, nevertheless showed flashes of attacking intent. Their direct style and willingness to push forward occasionally unsettled the Canadian defence, even if they were ultimately unable to convert those moments into goals.
A key talking point ahead of the match had been the presence of Zambia’s star forward Barbra Banda. Stoney admitted her team had been preparing carefully to deal with the threat posed by the striker, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous players in the Zambian squad.
However, Banda did not have the expected impact on the game. Stoney revealed her relief at the forward not starting, while still recognising her quality.
“I was pleased to be honest that she did not start. She is a world class forward but obviously the situation was a bit difficult,” she said.
Canada’s clinical finishing ultimately proved decisive, with their attacking quality highlighting the gap between the two teams. Nevertheless, Zambia’s ability to compete in phases of the match offered some encouragement as they look ahead to their next fixture.
The Copper Queens will now turn their attention to a challenging encounter against Brazil. The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Arena Pantanal, kicking off at 21:00 local time (03:00 Zambian time).
For Zambia, the focus will be on regrouping and building on the positive aspects of their performance, despite the heavy defeat. For Canada, the result reinforces their credentials, though Stoney’s comments suggest they remain wary of the tests still to come.
