Article author:
Canadian news agency
Spain, Terrasa — Canada's women's field hockey team lost 4-1 to co-sponsor Spain in the opening round of the tournament on Friday, ending their 28-year absence from the World Cup.
Karli Johansen, a veteran defender from North Vancouver, British Columbia, scored more than 150 caps and scored Canada in the 57-minute penalty corner.
Beren Iglesias (5 minutes), Xantal Gine (21st), Maria Lopez (26th) and Begona Garcia (29th) scored in Spain. Spain is 7th in the world compared to Canada's 15th.
Canada played last at the 1994 World Cup in Dublin. This is the last match in a tournament six times in a row.
Canada's best shows were the silver medal in 1983 and the bronze medal in 1986.
Canadian women have not been able to compete in the last six World Cups since finishing 10th in 1994.
16-team tournaments will be held in Terrassa, Spain and Amsterdam.
Canada will be drawn in Pool C with Argentina, Spain, South Korea and then face 11th place South Korea and 3rd place Argentina at the Terrasa Olympic Stadium.
Hosting the 1992 Olympic Hockey Tournament, Terrasa will stage the semi-finals, third-place playoffs and post-pool play finals.
Canada competed in the World Cup in January at the Pan American Cup bronze medal game in Santiago, Chile, beating 15th-placed United States 1-0.
Spain, who won the bronze medal at the 2018 World Cup, was automatically recognized as a co-sponsor.
Canada will return 15 of the 18 players who booked World Cup tickets in the 2022 Pan American Cup Qualifiers.
Captain Natalie Sourisseau leads a veteran group that includes attackers Hannah Haughn, Brie Stairs, Maddie Secco, defenders Johansen, Sara McManus and Shanlee Johnston.
Canada is headed by Rob Short, who played for the men's team in two World Cups and two Olympics.
The World Cup will be held until July 17th.
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This report by Canadian Press was first published on July 1, 2022
