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 game ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time, with Pauline Fisher scoring for Canada in the first half and Australia equalizing in the second half.
The intense match went into a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Fatima Harris sealing Canada’s victory with a crucial goal from the spot, resulting in a 2-1 shootout win. Defender Negar Farjadnia described the emotional moment of celebration as the team rallied around Harris after her decisive contribution.
Harris, who had previously maintained three clean sheets in the tournament, is now a contender for the Golden Glove award after making two crucial saves during the shootout. Canada completed the group stage with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Despite a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions France in the semifinals, Canada put up a strong fight and narrowly missed equalizing in stoppage time with a free kick. This competition marked Canada’s inaugural participation in the women’s category at the World Nations Cup.
Coach Greg Mitchell praised the global growth of walking soccer, particularly highlighting the competitive nature of the women’s over 50 division, where England had been dominant but faced tough challenges from other teams. England emerged victorious in five out of six categories but was defeated by France in the women’s over 50 final.
The World Nations Cup, organized by the Federation of International Walking Football Associations, featured teams from 21 countries across different age groups and genders, showcasing the sport’s diversity and inclusivity on an international stage.
