Incredible: despite the points deduction, Canada made it to the quarter-finals of Paris 2024 :: Olé

31/07/2024 19:04hs.

The Canadian women’s soccer team, winners of gold at Tokyo 2020, had been left without a coach and two of the technical assistants a day after their debut, after the three were accused of spying on a New Zealand training session. As a result of that fact, moreover, Six points were deducted from the team, which was left at -3 (it had beaten the New Zealanders 2-1 in its debut). Of course, qualifying for the quarter-finals after all those events, It was an almost impossible featfrom a psychological and numerical point of view, but, against all odds, the Rojas achieved it.

Canada was in Group A along with New Zealand, Colombia and France. After the victory over the first named and the subsequent six-point deduction, They had to beat the South Americans and the Europeans. But, in addition, it depends on whether the Coffee or New Zealand coffee makers add up to no more than three units (the maximum points Canada could reach in total) or that they do not have more goals in their favor.

What happened? Surprisingly, Canada won its two remaining matches: first 2-1 against France and, on Wednesday, 1-0 against Colombia. In the other matches, the Cafeteras, who had lost 3-2 in their debut against the French, beat New Zealand 2-0. The Europeans did the same, beating the Oceanic team 2-1.

With those results, Canada got the three points it needed and was tied on points with Colombia. The cherry on top? Since the Canadians had a better goal difference, They finished second and the Cafeteras were one of the best third places. What a feat…

Canada, after the victory against Colombia in the last round of the group stage. (Photo: Reuters)

Now, Canada will have to face Germany (Group B runner-up) in the quarterfinals on Saturday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. (Argentine time); while the Cafeteras and the French (leaders), who were the other two qualifiers from Group A, will face Spain (the same day at 12:00 p.m.) and Brazil (at 4:00 p.m.) respectively.

Without a coach and with a terribly discouraging outlook, Canada did the heroic. And it could have even qualified as leader with a perfect score if it had not received a sanction, since it won all three of its matches. Without a doubt, are emerging as gold medal contenders, just like in Tokyo 2020…

The joy of the Canadians after the victory against Colombia. (Photo: REUTERS/Raquel Cunha)

This is what the Canadian captain said after the points were deducted

“It is unfortunate that our national team players had to endure the reprehensible actions of certain members of their team while trying to defend our gold medal.. Actions over which the players have no control. I would like to clarify that as a national team player for 23 years, I have never seen or discussed drone footage in any individual or team meeting I have attended,” said Christine Sinclair, captain of Canada, after the sanction. Who would have thought that, a week later, they would achieve the impossible.

What happened to the former Canadian coach and the two assistants involved in the spying

Following the discovery of drone surveillance at a New Zealand training session, Bev Priestman and her assistants Jasmine Mander (team assistant) and Joseph Lombardi (analyst) were removed from their positions with the Canadian women’s team. The team was subsequently docked six points.

But that’s not all. Priestman also received another punishment, as FIFA decided to suspend her from coaching for one year. The same punishment was also imposed on her assistants Mander and Lombardi.

Bev Priestman, former Canadian coach. (Photo: Reuters)