Canadian U-20s face must-win against North Koreans after Norway swoon

A second-half stumble by the Canadian team Thursday has put it at serious risk of leaving the U-20 Women’s World Cup after the group stage. Jenna Richardson gave Canada a first-half lead, but thanks to the rampant attacking play of Norway’s Carolina Hansen — and the finishing of sisters Ada and Adrine Hegerberg — the Scandinavians came back with two second-half goals to beat Canada by a 2-1 count. Canada now has a win and a loss in Group C play. But don’t let the record deceive you. North Korea leads the group with a perfect record, and has a goal difference of +11 after two games. Norway also has three points, but plays Argentina (two losses, -15 GD) in its final game. Canada has to face the North Koreans. So, to advance, Canada will likely have to find a way to beat the North Koreans, as Norway is almost assured of finishing the group stage with two wins, unless the Argentines pull off a mighty upset (not going to happen). North Korea’s Kim Un Hwa has six goals through its first two matches. But, with the North Koreans having first place in the group all but wrapped up, Canada can hope that she might be rested, as well as some of the other first-choice players. Canadian coach Andrew Olivieri said that the North Koreans have 13 players on their roster who played for their country at the Olympics. The first half of the Canada-Norway match saw Richardson make no mistake as she was sent in from a wonderful through ball from Adriana Leon. Richardson got the chance to take the lead because, on the other end, keeper Sabrina D’Angelo denied an Ada Hegerberg penalty. But D’Angelo won’t want to see the replays of the first Norwegian goal. Hansen came down the right side, cut in towards goal and sent a square ball across the goal that went through D’Angelo’s legs, before Ada Hegerberg tapped it home. After Hansen was denied after she made a mazy run through a rattled Canadian back line, she set up Adrine Hegerberg for the winner, a low drive that beat D’Angelo inside the post. Because of the team’s remaining schedules, Canada would have known that no less than a point would have sufficed from the Norway match. Now, the Canadians will have to play the role of giant killers when they face the North Koreans this weekend. For full match highlights, click HERE. RELATED: Canadian U-20 women open World Cup with six goals against Argentina (CLICK) Canadian coach says group stage at U-20 Women’s World Cup offers variety of challenges (CLICK)