Here is a fact that may surprise women's football followers - China hold the historical upper hand over Canada. The two sides have met a total of 26 times prior to Saturday's meeting, with the 1999 World Cup runners-up having won 14 versus the hosts' five. However, in recent times, Canada, who is currently ranked in the top ten have finally been able to get the better of China, who, after two straight quarter-finals appearances in 2003 and 2007, failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2011.
Under the guidance of John Herdman, who took over in 2011, Canada's ladies have defeated the Chinese in all three of their last three meetings taking place in 2012, 2013, and most recently, January of this year. Yet, a closer look at those results reveal that they were closely contested ties, and Canada was never able to defeat Hao Wei's side by more than one goal, with 1-0 wins in 2012 and 2013, and a hard-fought 2-1 win earlier this year, courtesy of a brace by star striker Christine Sinclair.
As hosts, Canada, who endured a dismal World Cup campaign four years ago as they crashed out at the group stages, will be definitely feeling the pressure to put on a good show, although their coach Herdman is keen to stress otherwise:
Canada coach John Herdman says team is "chilled out" ahead of @FIFAWWC opener: http://t.co/v7JuEsAaWG pic.twitter.com/ilmhFPeVq3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2015
Canada has a good mix of seasoned veterans and hungry youth talent. In addition to the aforementioned Sinclar, there is experienced goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who has spent 17 years within the national set-up and will retire following this tournament. Rising star Kadeisha Buchanan will be making her first ever World Cup appearance and was still in secondary school when she saw her national team leave Germany full of disappointment and frustration.
The hosts will be coming into this game fresh off a win over England, a team that they could end up facing at a later date should they qualify from their group. Despite featuring in their sixth World Cup, Canada has disappointed time and time again, with only a fourth-placed finish in 2003 to show for their efforts.
Meanwhile, China, after years in the international wilderness will try their best to disrupt Canada's plans, but their record against the top sides is not good as of late. They lost to the Three Lionesses in a friendly in April and were easily brushed aside by Germany and Sweden during the 2015 Algarve Cup, but managed to hold Brazil to a surprise draw.
Still, Hao Wei's side should not be underestimated. China have yet to lose any of their opening World Cup games and as one of the younger sides - with their captain Wu Haiyan being only 22-years-old - in the tournament, they will try to disrupt the Canadian's plans to kick off their World Cup in style.
Following this match, Canada will then battle New Zealand before wrapping things up with a clash against debutants the Netherlands in Group A. Make sure you do not miss out on these games and the rest of the matches at the 2015 Womens World Cup by bookmarking LiveSoccerTV.com's Multi-Platform Broadcast Page for more information.
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