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Canada will not finish higher than third place in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after losing 1-0 to Mexico in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Coach Rhian Wilkinson says lessons will be learned from the painful defeat – an acquaintance that will pay off in the future.
"I'm very proud of this team, I think they're wonderful young women," said Wilkinson, her voice hoarse with the screams of the sideline. "It was not their day, Mexico deserved the win, I would not change any of them, we lost and they will learn from them.
"I think a lot of them will be playing for the entire Canadian team someday."
Watch the highlights of Mexico's victory:
The Mexicans will face powerful Spain in Saturday's final after Canada's victory over New Zealand for third place. Spain beat New Zealand 2-0 in the semifinal on Wednesday at Estadio Charrua.
Canada's offensive came to a halt at night as the defense had to pay a 25 minute penalty in the 25th minute of Mexican captain Nicole Perez.
"It was a frustrating match," Wilkinson said. "I think that in the first half, we really saw their youth and how young they are, I do not think they seized the opportunity in front of them.
"But I was proud of them in the second half, they left everything on the pitch, and Mexico played well, they did not do anything unexpected, but they have done enough to beat us today. "
Canada had 59% possession of the ball, but failed to test Mexican goaltender Jaidy Gutierrez. The Mexicans had an advantage of 18-7 in shots (5-0 in shots).
Wilkinson, who has won 181 caps for Canada, had a teaching time for his team when asked what was missing on Wednesday.
Mexican Nicole Perez, second from left, celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Canada. (Matilde Campodonico / The Associated Press)
"Courage," she said. "I think they're very good – it's a very good team that plays wonderful football, when they believe in themselves." These are times when they have doubted themselves. and it looked like that on the ground, I think there was a little lack of courage. "
Canada is still in unknown territory at the tournament. His previous best result was seventh in 2008 and 2012.
Despite the loss, the Wilkinson team tied at least fourth place in the Canadian Senior Team at the 2003 Women's World Cup.
The only Canadian team – men's or women's – to do better at a FIFA World Championship is the 2002 team, comprised of 19-year-old Christine Sinclair, US finalist at the U-19 Women's World Championship of FIFA the Canadian Sol.
The Mexicans proved to be a well-disciplined and hard-working team that remained solid in defense after being led from the penalty spot. On the other end, they hit the woodwork twice.
It was a quiet opening with few opportunities, although Mexico spent more time in early Canada.
After receiving a free kick, Canada captain Jordyn Huitema appeared to be led by Felicia Escobar into the penalty area in the 22nd minute when the ball came in from the game. Referee Anastasia Pustovoytova denied the penalty. not move though.
The Russian was penalized at the other end of the field when Canadian defender Maya Antoine, who had dropped the ball with a bad touch, dropped the fast Alison Gonzalez as she headed for the straight. Antoine, helpless, had a yellow card in the room.
Watch the highlights of Spain's win over New Zealand:
Perez cooly scored the penalty in the corner with goalkeeper Anna Karpenko rooted. It was the first shot of the match at goal.
The Canadians started to grab the ball and Huitema scored what looked like a tying goal in the 38th minute after conceding a bad Mexican pbad and defeating Gutierrez. But Teni Akindoju had decided to put a defender on the ground to allow his captain to clearly mark the goal.
Canada held 59% of possession in the first half, but its goal series was 9-2 (3-0 on target).
As Canada tried to score the tying goal in the second half, the Mexicans were content to take their time and counterattack.
Huitema was limited to distance shots while the game was going on.
"I was very proud of her leadership (…) .I thought she was playing as much as she could with her teammates," said Wilkinson, who used 20 of the 21 women on his team during the tournament. . "It was not our best team performance today."
Asked about a Spain-Mexico final featuring two coaches, Wilkinson responded with a slight laugh: "For now, I'm just sad not to be one of them."
"Good luck to both of you," she added.
Canada defeated Germany 1-0 in the quarter-finals, while Mexico beat Ghana 4-2 on penalties. Both teams finished second in their preliminary group – Canada 2-1-0 in Group D after losing 5-0 to Spain and Mexico 1-0-2 in Group B.
Mexico defeated Canada 2-1 in the semifinal of the CONCACAF U-17 Championship in June.
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