Canada Women's World Cup
Jun 5, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod blocks a shot during team practice on the day before the first game of the FIFA women's soccer World Cup games at Commonwealth Stadium between Canada and China. REUTERS/Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Canada, the home team in 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will attempt to finally beat a European team when they face Switzerland in the tournament’s knockout round. Canada had a rough road getting into the round of 16, and to advance, they must do what they had failed to do in the past five tournaments, and that is to beat a European squad.

“There’s no David and Goliath story about this game. You’ve got a very organized team with two world-class strikers who play in the top teams in the world,” said Canada coach John Herdman per reports of the Star.

Heading into the knockout game at BC Place Stadium, the team’s record against European teams is 0-9-1. Herdman said in a conference Thursday that they need to be ready to whatever the Swiss team throws at them because they will not get another chance, referring to the knockout system of the next stage.

“The bottom line is we know the Europeans are very well-organized. Thy have a very disciplined approach to their style and they’re outstanding on the counter-attack. That’s what they play every weekend in the European leagues,” said Herdman, who believes that Sweden will try to push a result in their upcoming match.

Switzerland, the first European team to qualify in the Women’s World Cup, has been less dominant ever since routing Ecuador with a 6-1 victory. They had narrow losses against Japan 1-0, and Cameroon 2-1 in Group C, which put them in third place to face Group A winners Canada.

The Swiss team, according to Herdman, displays an offensive threat in young talent striker Ramona Bachmann and Lara Dickenmann. He added that they are the ones who set the team alight and are in very good form so far in the tournament.

Canada had been preparing to bring back veteran Dana Matheson, who suffered a mild quad strain ahead of Monday’s game, and is expecting Sophie Smidt to play despite sustaining a bruise hip after falling awkwardly in the 1-1 draw against Netherlands.

The home town team forced a 1-1 draw against Netherlands. Herdman believes Sophie will not miss the opportunity to play for her home town in the crucial match of Canada at BC Place Stadium.

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