Canada vs Switzerland preview: What to know ahead of Women’s World Cup match at BC Place

VANCOUVER- Sunday will be a homecoming of sorts for the Canada’s women’s national soccer team. The team has mainly trained in the Vancouver area for years and several key players grew up in the area.

The familiar surroundings of Vancouver may help give the Canadian team the boost it needs heading into Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup elimination game against Switzerland. Canada has scored just two goals in three group-stage matches, but head coach John Herdman takes comfort in the fact that the team has managed to generate scoring chances while still playing stout defence.

A few friendly bounces on the much-discussed turf at BC Place and Canada could find its way into the quarter-finals.

What time is the Canada-Switzerland Women’s World Cup match?

Kick-off is 4:30 p.m. PDT.

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What channel is the Canada-Switzerland match?

The game will be broadcast in Canada on CTV and RDS. In the U.S., the game will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1.

Where the two teams stand

The Swiss (1-2-0) are ranked 19th in the world, compared to No. 8 for Canada (1-0-2).

According to veteran midfielder Rhian Wilkinson, that doesn’t mean Canada will be taking their opponents lightly.

“In the women’s game there’s not much difference between No. 25 and No. 4,” said Wilkinson. “It’s really close.”

How they got here

The Canadians were underwhelming in their opening matches, earning a 1-0 win over China, a 0-0 draw with New Zealand and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. Canada won Group A with five points, the lowest point total of any group winner at this year’s tournament.

Switzerland managed just one win in the opening round, a 10-1 shellacking of Ecuador. They lost their two other matches, a 1-0 decision to reigning champion Japan and a 2-1 to loss to Cameroon.

Players to watch

What to expect from Canada

Tournament statistics confirm Canada as an offensively challenged, defensively stingy team at the Women’s World Cup.

On the plus side, Canada is tied for second in goals against with one. Brazil has yet to concede with Germany, Japan and the U.S. joining Canada with just one goal given up.

READ MORE: Kaylyn Kyle says Canadian team is family

Canada stands ninth in tournament shots with 40 and tied for eight in shots on target (15). The Canadian women are tied with Thailand for hitting the woodwork the most times at three.

With just two goals from three games, Canada is tied for 19th with the Netherlands, New Zealand, Mexico and Spain in tournament scoring. Only Ecuador, with one goal, scored less.

WATCH:  Province editor Paul Chapman on the tournament so far, and Canada’s chances on advancing

What to expect from Switzerland

Canada will be looking to corral Swiss forwards Ramona Bachmann and Kara Dickenmann. Prodded on by a Swiss reporter, Herdman enthused about Bachmann, calling her the Gazza and Messi of Switzerland — referring to former English legend Paul Gascoigne and current Argentine star Lionel Messi.

“And potentially the next Marta,” he said, referencing the Brazilian female star forward. “That’s the sort of quality she’s got.”

Who will Canada face if they manage to beat Switzerland?

Canada has a pretty favourable draw if they manage to advance. Canada drew into what is considered the weaker side of the bracket, avoiding powerhouse sides like the U.S., Germany and France. With a win, Canada would face either England or Norway in the quarter-finals.

FIFA Bracket

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-with files from Canadian Press