Two days before a match that will decide its future at the FIFA WomenB次元官网网址檚 World Cup, Canada exuded calm.

That despite news from Brisbane that Australia star striker Sam Kerr is fit to play against the Canadians in MondayB次元官网网址檚 (July 31) Group B finale at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e ready to go. WeB次元官网网址檙e excited,B次元官网网址� midfielder Julia Grosso said after a team gym session Saturday. B次元官网网址淲e know this is a very important game, but I think this team always rises to the occasion with these big games.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 a calm confidence,B次元官网网址� added centre back Shelina Zadorsky. B次元官网网址淏ut weB次元官网网址檙e not naive to the fact that every game is a challenge.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏eing Canada, weB次元官网网址檝e been in this situation before,B次元官网网址� said forward Cloe Lacasse. B次元官网网址淲e know what itB次元官网网址檚 all about.B次元官网网址�

The top two teams in each of the eight first-round groups advance to the knockout round. Canada (1-0-1) could finish anywhere from first to third in its pool.

The good news is the permutations favour the seventh-ranked Olympic champions. They will advance to the knockout round with a win or draw, and could even progress with a defeat, provided No. 40 Nigeria loses to No. 22 Ireland and the tiebreakers fall the right way.

The 10th-ranked Matildas (1-1-0) need to win to be certain of progressing. A draw will also work if Nigeria loses by two goals.

Australia has not gone out in the group stage since 2003. CanadaB次元官网网址檚 last early exit was in 2011, when it failed to win a game and finished last in the tournament in a disastrous showing.

Nigeria just needs to avoid defeat to move on. The Super Falcons have the edge over Canada in goals scored and would finish atop the group if both teams win Monday.

And while Canada just needs a single point to move on, Lacasse says the team wants more.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think weB次元官网网址檙e a team to settle for the minimum,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not going to go in there wanting a draw. We want the (win), we want the three points and we want to be top of this group.B次元官网网址�

Finishing atop the pool means avoiding the winner of Group D, with No. 4 England in the driverB次元官网网址檚 seat there. The Group B winner will face the runner-up in Group D, which is currently No. 13 Denmark by virtue of a tiebreaker over No. 14 China.

Canada also wants to make a statement by winning what is considered one of the toughest groups at the tournament.

B次元官网网址淓very team in this group is a formidable opponent,B次元官网网址� said Grosso. B次元官网网址淓veryone showed that they belong at the World Cup B次元官网网址� so to come out on top of this group, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a very strong footing going forward.B次元官网网址�

Canada is 8-7-3 all-time against Australia and has won the last three meetings, including last yearB次元官网网址檚 1-0 and 2-1 victories in Brisbane and Sydney, respectively. The Canadians are 6-2-2 against the Matildas this century.

Adriana Leon scored all three goals in the two most recent victories.

The Canadians rallied for a 2-1 comeback victory over Ireland after playing Nigeria to a scoreless draw in their tournament opener. Australia was upset 3-2 by Nigeria after edging Ireland 1-0.

Asked if the tournament has seen the best of Canada, Grosso said thereB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渓ots to come.B次元官网网址�

There are some questions still to be answered with the health of the team. Captain Christine Sinclair limped off the field after an impactful spell as a second-half substitute against Ireland, while centre back Kadeisha Buchanan, dealing with illness and taking a ball to the torso, exited early.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

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