Canada women beaten by Japan again as losing streak stretches to five games

Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming (17) in action during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against the United States, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

ISAHAYA — The Canadian women played better but the result was the same in their rematch with Japan on Tuesday, extending their losing streak to five games with a 1-0 defeat.

Mina Tanaka, who plays for the NWSL’s Utah Royals, scored for No. 8 Japan in the soccer friendly at Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki. The ninth-ranked Canadians were outplayed Saturday in a 3-0 loss at Nagasaki’s Peace Stadium.

The Canadians close out the year with a 6-6-1 record.

While Canada had a much improved start Tuesday, the Japanese had the superior chances and went ahead in the 45th minute off a corner. A diving Sabrina D’Angelo got a hand to Narumi Miura’s header but Tanaka was Johnny-on-the-spot, beating Emma Regan to the rebound to score from close range.

Japan could have added to its total with Yui Hasegawa, via a deflected shot, and Hikaru Kitagawa both hitting the woodwork on either side of halftime. The home side squandered several other gilt-edged chances.

An Evelyne Viens goal for Canada was called offside in the 53rd minute.

Japan outshot Canada 18-8 (4-3 in shots on target).

The Canadians have not won or scored since a 4-1 victory over No. 43 Costa Rica on June 27 in Toronto. Their goal drought now stands at 454 minutes since Regan’s 86th-minute goal against Costa Rica.

Before the Japan defeats, the Canadian women suffered consecutive 1-0 losses to No. 24 Switzerland and the 11th-ranked Netherlands in October and were blanked 3-0 by the second-ranked U.S. on July 2.

It’s the first five-game slide for the Canadian women since 2005 when they were beaten by Sweden, Norway. the U.S. and Germany (twice). Canadian forward Holly Ward and midfielder Simi Awujo had yet to celebrate their second birthday when that slump occurred.

As she did Saturday, assistant coach Natalie Henderson ran the Canadian sideline with head coach Casey Stoney back in England with her ailing mother. Henderson also took charge of Canada for a May 31 win over Haiti in Winnipeg when Stoney was absent for the same reason.

Canada made six changes to its starting lineup with D’Angelo, defenders Vanessa Gilles and Sydney Collins, midfielder Yasmine Alidou and forwards Adriana Leon and Viens slotting in. Janine Sonis dropped back to fullback from winger.

The starting 11 went into the game with a combined 683 caps, compared to 702 caps for Saturday’s starters.

Japan made eight changes. Six starters play their club football in England with four in the NWSL, leaving 21-year-old goalkeeper Akane Okuma, earning her second cap, the only player based in Japan.

Canada started well, forcing Okuma to make a diving save to deny Canada captain Jessie Fleming in the third minute. The ‘keeper needed treatment after her face slammed into the goalpost as she hit the ground.

Three minutes later, Okuma was hurt again — this time in a collision diving for the ball. She left the field on a stretcher with Chika Hirao, who plays in Spain for Granada CF, taking over in goal.

Japan outshot Canada 11-2 (3-1 in shots on target) in the first half.

Awujo, Nichelle Prince, Julia Grosso, Ashley Lawrence and Jordyn Huitema came off the bench for Canada, which started the second half with purpose.

Canada’s record against Japan slipped to 4-10-4. The Canadians have not beaten Japan since March 2018, when they prevailed 2-0 at the Algarve Cup.

Canada was without star forward Olivia Smith, at her English club’s request. Arsenal did not want Smith, who suffered a hip injury playing for Canada last month, to make the long trip to Japan.

Canada was also missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan, Gabby Carle and Lysianne Proulx. Cloe Lacasse, while back from a knee injury suffered in October 2024, is not expected to rejoin Canada until next year.

Annabelle Chukwu (Notre Dame) and Kayla Briggs (Michigan State University) were unavailable for selection.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025