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 match ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time, with Canada’s Pauline Fisher scoring first in the initial half, followed by Australia equalizing six minutes before the end of the second half.
The game proceeded to a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Fatima Harris netted the decisive goal, granting Canada a 2-1 victory. Defender Negar Farjadnia expressed the team’s unity during the intense shootout, highlighting the emotional celebration following Harris’ crucial goal.
Harris, who kept three clean sheets earlier in the tournament and made two critical saves in the shootout, is now a contender for the Golden Glove award. Canada concluded the group stage with a 3-1-2 record, ultimately falling to eventual champions France in the semifinals with a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Despite a close attempt to equalize in stoppage time with a free kick, Canada fell short. This year marked the first time Canada fielded a women’s team in the World Nations Cup, a significant milestone for the players. Farjadnia emphasized the importance of representing Canada on a global platform, embodying values such as peace, diversity, and unity.
The World Nations Cup, authorized by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations, featured teams from 21 countries competing across various men’s and women’s age categories. England dominated by claiming five out of the six titles, except for the women’s over 50 final where they were defeated by France.
Team Canada Coach Greg Mitchell praised the women’s over 50 division for showcasing the global expansion of walking soccer, noting the competitive nature of the tournament with teams challenging the favored English side throughout the event.