Canada’s over 50 women delivered a bronze-medal performance at the World Nations Cup of walking soccer, beating Australia on penalties Friday in Torrevieja, Spain.
The teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation, with Canada’s Pauline Fisher opening the scoring in the first half before Australia tied it with six minutes remaining in the second.
The match was tied through three rounds of penalties before goalkeeper Fatima Harris scored from the spot, giving Canada a 2-1 shootout win.
“We were shoulder-to-shoulder, holding each other through the shootout, and that made for a beautiful moment when we ran towards to Fatima to celebrate,” said defender Negar Farjadnia.
Harris is up for the Golden Glove after keeping three clean sheets, earlier in the tournament. She also made two stops in the shootout.
Canada finished the group stage with a 3-1-2 record.
The Canadians lost to eventual champions France, a 1-0 defeat in the semifinals.
Canada came close to tying the match on a stoppage time free kick, but came up short.
This is the first time Canada has entered a women’s team in the World Nations Cup.
“It means a whole lot at this stage in my life to represent Canada – and our values of peace, diversity and people coming together – on a global stage,” Farjadnia said.
Sanctioned by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations, the World Nations Cup included teams from 21 counties competing in three men’s and three women’s age categories.
England won claimed five of the six titles, before losing the women’s over 50 final to France.
“The 50s women’s division is demonstrating the global growth of walking soccer, as we saw parity throughout, with teams staring down the favoured English side,” said Team Canada Coach Greg Mitchell.
