ITA-W vs CAN-W Dream 11 Team: After a rampant showing in the pool stage encounters, Canada take on a guile filled customer in Italy.
Canada Vs Italy Semi-Final 1 FIH Women’s Series Final Best Dream 11 Team
When the FIH had decided to conceptualise the FIH Women’s Series Final for the first time in 2019, one of the major idea on their mind was to help the relatively lower ranked teams get a platform to showcase their skill set on. And in Canada in the culminating Spain leg of the marquee tournament they have ended up getting just that, a side who have made the most of the chance accorded to them.
Coming in with a ranking of 21 into the tournament, while Canada were expected to play in the quarter-finals, getting a direct spot in the top 4 ahead of Spain was something we had never fathomed. They held Spain to a draw and pummelled Namibia 17-0 before following it up with an effective 3-0 win over Belarus to sit top of the table with the 7 points.
Now taking on Italy in the first semi-final of the tournament, Canada will be looking to assure themselves of a spot in the Japan 2020 Olympic Qualifiers. A win today will not only take them to the summit clash but also give them one of the two qualifiers’ spots at stake, something that is sure to propel the side towards resonating their same stunning performances of the pool stage.
However, in Italy, Canada have a side against who things won’t be as easy. The Italians made it this far with some impressive wins themselves, getting past Belarus and Wales off impressive performances. They have been an attacking side extradonaire, scoring goals galore at crucial stages to turn the match in their favour and the 16 goals they’ve managed to stick into the opposition goal have played a major part in them flourishing.
Probable Winner
This match has all the ingredients in it of being a real cracker of an encounter, one where both the sides will leave no stone unturned in getting past the other and cementing their spot in the final. We are in for a contest where the attacking side of the game will be at its pinnacle with pristine strikers lining up either outfit.
With such exuberant attacking sides at our disposal, it’s the defence which is going to come to the fore and decide which side wins this. That is one department where Canada hold a slight upper hand over the Italians and it significantly tilts the scales in their favour. We see world number 17 going down in this one against Canada.
Goal-Keeper for ITA-W vs CAN-W Dream 11
Natalia Schinoni from Italy is our choice for this one. She’s been a major reason for Italy closing teams out with her saving abilities rendering opposition strikers obsolete.
Defenders for ITA-W vs CAN-W Dream 11
Having conceded just the one goal in the three matches they’ve played till in now, we are going to see our defence be heavily dominated by players from Canada. It’s a well drilled unit, one that has imbedded in it the knowhow of what it takes to be successful on the big stage and the demands needed to succeed in such international tournaments.
Coming in from their side are Sara McManus and Danielle Hennig with Sara in particular being someone we have huge expectations from someone. With four goals in her kitty till now, she’s the second highest goal scorer of her side, having converted three penalties along with the one penalty corner that has seen her earn all the laurels.
The Italians on the other hand have their own fair share of goal scoring defenders in the form of Eugenia Bianchi. She’s got herself on the end of three penalty corners, a conversion rate that has made her an ominous proposition for opposition defenders. Accompanying her is going to be Celina Traverso with Chiara Tiddi turning out to be too costly for our liking.
Midfielders for ITA-W vs CAN-W Dream 11
With the three field goals and one penalty corner that sees us tally rise to four, the Italians have been hugely dependant on Maryna Vynohradova to hold fort in the centre of the park for the side. An integral part of the midfield pivot, she’s always pushed above her weigh to take the outright responsibility of coming up with the goals whence asked to.
From Canada it’s the duo of Shanlee Johnston and Natalie Sourisseau who comes in to complete our facet in this part of our team.
Forwards for ITA-W vs CAN-W Dream 11
We’ll continue with our selections from Canada with the exemplary Stephanie Norlander and Brienne Stairs making a foray in our side. With 10 goals in between them, the two have undoubtedly been one of the finest attacking partnership in the league, a two woman partnership that has left defenders playing the chasing game in their wake.
In a paper thin attack for Italy, its Lara Oviedo who has held fort and managed to score the two goals and she makes her way into our side.
Captain And Vice-Captain
Stairs is our captain for this encounter while we have picked up her partner Norlander as the vice-captain.
Match Details
FIH Women’s Series Final
Match: Canada Vs Italy
Date And Time: 26th June, Wednesday- 8:15pm IST
Venue: Estadio Betero, Valencia
