Tonight will be the first real test for Kenneth Heiner-Møller as head coach of the Canadian women’s national team. John Herdman’s replacement has led Canada against some of the best teams in the world since taking over in January.
It’s now world 70th-ranked Panama, however, that stands between his side and a seventh straight women’s World Cup appearance. Qualifying for France 2019 is the bare minimum expectation for Canada, who are currently ranked fifth in the world.
To date it has been relatively easy going for Canada in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, the tournament that serves as World Cup qualifying for North America.