Dec 20, 2015
Canada falls to Brazil in Natal 2015 final
Janine Beckie scored the first goal but host Brazil responded with three of its own, including two from Monica, for a 3-1 victory over Canada on Sunday in the final of the international women's soccer tournament in Natal.
The Canadian Press
NATAL, Brazil - Janine Beckie scored the first goal but host Brazil responded with three of its own, including two from Monica, for a 3-1 victory over Canada on Sunday in the final of the international women's soccer tournament in Natal.
Monica's first goal of the game, on a header off a corner kick in the 63rd minute, stood as the winner as Brazil remained undefeated in the four-team tournament.
"I think the girls gave it everything they could tonight," said Canadian coach John Herdman. "Brazil just had a little bit more quality on the attack, whether it was with their set pieces or delivery."
Canada finished second after going 2-1 in group play. The Canadians' only other loss of the tournament was against Brazil in the final game of the preliminary round.
Beckie opened the scoring in Sunday's game with a shot on the run down the left side early in the second half.
Less than a minute later, Brazil tied the game on a goal from Andressa Alves. Alves was given a yellow card when she celebrated her goal by running up a set of stairs to hug her family.
Monica made it 3-1 on another header from a corner kick with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
"We know with Brazil that you have to open yourselves up a little bit to get something off them," said Herdman. "There were two great chances in the second half, and had we capitalized on them the game could have gone a totally different direction."
Four teenagers made their first appearances for Canada's national "A" squad in Natal — Gabrielle Carle (17), Kennedy Faulknor (16), Marie Levasseur (18), and Deanne Rose (16).
Canada's next international tournament will be the 2016 CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying tournament in February.