Canada’s women over 50 secured a bronze medal at the World Nations Cup of walking soccer by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout in Torrevieja, Spain. The game ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time, with Pauline Fisher scoring for Canada in the first half and Australia equalizing in the second half.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Fatima Harris became the hero by converting a crucial penalty, leading Canada to a 2-1 victory. Defender Negar Farjadnia described the team’s unity during the shootout as they celebrated Harris’s decisive goal.
Harris, who kept three clean sheets earlier in the tournament, is now in contention for the Golden Glove award after making two crucial saves during the shootout. Canada completed the group stage with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Despite a valiant effort, Canada fell short in the semifinals, losing 1-0 to eventual champions France. The team almost equalized in stoppage time with a free kick but ultimately couldn’t level the score. This marked Canada’s debut in the women’s category at the World Nations Cup.
Reflecting on the achievement, Farjadnia expressed pride in representing Canada and its core values on an international platform. The tournament, sanctioned by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations, featured teams from 21 countries across various age groups.
England dominated the competition by winning five out of six titles, with France clinching the victory in the women’s over 50 category. Coach Greg Mitchell commended the competitiveness in the women’s over 50 division, highlighting the global growth of walking soccer with teams challenging the traditionally strong English side.