Canadian Women Fall to Japan 1-0, Extend Losing Streak to Five

URGENT UPDATE: The Canadian women’s soccer team faced another setback, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Japan in Isahaya on December 2, 2025. This loss marks their fifth consecutive defeat, deepening their goal drought to an alarming 454 minutes.

In a tightly contested match at Transcosmos Stadium, Canada showed signs of improvement but could not find the back of the net. The lone goal came from Japan’s Mina Tanaka in the 45th minute. After a corner, Tanaka capitalized on a rebound, scoring from close range despite a valiant effort by goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.

This latest loss adds to Canada’s struggles, as they have not won since a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica on June 27. The team has now slipped to a 6-6-1 record for the year, raising concerns about their performance heading into future matches.

Canada’s coach, Casey Stoney, was absent due to personal reasons, leaving assistant coach Natalie Henderson at the helm. Canada made six changes to their starting lineup, showcasing players like Adriana Leon and Evelyne Viens. Despite a solid start, the Canadians struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.

Japan dominated the match statistically, outshooting Canada 18-8 overall, including 4-3 in shots on target. Canada had a goal disallowed for offside in the 53rd minute, further highlighting their ongoing struggles to find the net.

“We need to find a way to convert our chances,” said assistant coach Henderson after the match. “We showed improvement, but we need to finish.”

Canada’s losing streak is the longest since 2005, raising questions about the team’s future. They have not beaten Japan since March 2018, with their record now standing at 4-10-4 against the Asian powerhouse.

Looking ahead, Canada must regroup quickly as they prepare for upcoming matches. The absence of key players like Kadeisha Buchanan and Olivia Smith due to injuries and club commitments adds to the complexity of the situation. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Canada can turn their fortunes around before the end of the year.