Skip to content

Schmidt, Team Canada fall to Japan in Olympic opener

The reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champions from Japan sent Sophie Schmidt and the Canadian women's soccer team down to defeat.
97153abbotsfordweb-Schmidt-Sophie-CONCACAF-standing
Sophie Schmidt

The reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champions from Japan sent Sophie Schmidt and the Canadian women's soccer team down to defeat in their first game at the London Olympics on Wednesday.

Japan went ahead 2-0 on first-half goals by Nahomi Kawasumi and Aya Miyama, but Canada cut the lead in half on Melissa Tancredi's goal in the 55th minute. That was as close as they would get, though, as Japan hung on for the win.

Schmidt, a 24-year-old from Abbotsford, started in the midfield and played the entire game.

Canada's remaining group games are Saturday vs. South Africa (6:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, CTV) and next Tuesday vs. Sweden (6:30 a.m. PST, Sportsnet).