Canada plays to a scoreless draw against New Zealand in group play
Canada’s Sophie Schmidt (13) and New Zealand’s Betsy Hassett battle for the ball during the second half of their Women’s World Cup group game on Thursday.
Women’s World Cup host Canada played to a scoreless tie with New Zealand in a group game Thursday.
Canada’s mark of 1-0-1 with four points has them atop their group with one game to play. New Zealand (0-1-1) still has never won a World Cup game in 11 chances.
The game was delayed for about 30 minutes after the fourth minute because of heavy rain and lightning.
Canada had a couple of quality chances midway through the first half, but New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler turned aside Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair in the 22nd and 23rd minutes.
In the 31st minute, New Zealand was awarded a penalty kick after a hard tackle in the penalty area, but Amber Hearn — New Zealand’s all-time leading international goal scorer — hit the crossbar.
Canada’s Melissa Tancredi appeared to have scored just before halftime, but she was judged offside on the play and the goal was disallowed.
Tancredi had another golden opportunity on a breakaway in the 76th minute, but Nayler covered the shot with a sliding save. In the 85th minute, Sinclair missed just wide from the top of the six-yard box.
