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Denmark's Sara Thrige (2) and Selma Svendsen, left, defends against Canada's DB Pridham during second half international friendly soccer action in Montreal, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
By The Canadian Press

Stoney wants Canada to be ‘more clinical’ in second friendly against Denmark

Oct 11, 2026 | 9:55 AM

Head coach Casey Stoney wants Canada to finish more of its scoring chances when it faces Denmark in an international women’s soccer rematch Monday afternoon.

The ninth-ranked Canadians will host No. 12 Denmark at Toronto’s BMO Field. Olivia Smith’s late equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first of two friendlies between the teams Friday in Montreal.

“There was some good play, we created some good chances,” Stoney said following Friday’s match. “We do need to be more clinical. I feel like a broken record, I keep saying that, but we do.”

Canada controlled the run of play for most of the match, holding 69 per cent possession and a 21-9 edge in shot attempts (6-6 on target) as Denmark sat back looking to strike on the counterattack. The home side failed to break through until Smith ripped a left-footed strike in the 84th minute.

Stoney hopes her players show more patience in the final third Monday rather than forcing plays into the penalty area.

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“We crossed the ball when we didn’t necessarily need to, when we didn’t have enough numbers in the box, and just crossing into areas without any quality,” said the England native. “We’ve got to play back around, pull them out, wait for the right moments to slip people in and possibly shoot from distance a bit more.”

“It’s the final third where we really, really need to improve because we got in there a few times, and it’s like (we missed) execution or decision-making or that final end product, so that’s definitely what we will be focusing on going into Monday.”

Stoney is still seeking her first victory against a top-15 opponent since she took over as Canada’s coach in January 2025.

The Denmark matchups serve as a measuring stick ahead of Canada’s quarterfinal against No. 54 Panama on Nov. 28 at the CONCACAF W Championship, a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Denmark has already punched its ticket to this summer’s World Cup after finishing atop its UEFA qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Serbia and Italy.

Canada holds a 3-3-1 all-time record against the Danes heading into Monday’s matchup.

“We’re going for the win. We want to win, absolutely,” Canada midfielder Marie-Yasmine Alidou said. “It’s good preparation for us, and even more so because it’s a high-ranked team.”

Left back Allysha Chapman was expected to make her 100th and final international appearance for Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press


by The Canadian Press

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