Women

Zadorsky: I'm really grateful to hit 100 appearances for Canada

6th June 2024

Shelina Zadorsky has expressed her delight at hitting 100 caps for her country during the June international window.

The defender, who joined West Ham United on loan from neighbours Tottenham Hotspur in January, was in action for Canada on Wednesday, as they drew 1-1 with Mexico in a friendly at BMO Field in Toronto.

Zadorsky laid on the assist for Canada's goal, supplying a fantastic cross for Kadeisha Buchanan to head home and give her country the lead in the first half.

Whilst Lizbeth Ovalle did convert late on to secure a share of the spoils for the visiting Mexican side, it didn't put a dampener on the 31-year-old's feeling of pride at the full time whistle.

“I think I feel a little old now,” the central defender laughed when talking to OneSoccer after the final whistle.

“I’m really grateful to hit this milestone for my country, here in Toronto in front of our home fans, that’s so special.

“We needed that win tonight, but it’s given us something to work on and we’ll reflect on that moving forward.”

In her 100th cap, Shelina Zadorsky played a perfect ball to assist our goal, and made a number of crucial defensive plays to earn tonight’s @GatoradeCanada Performance of the Match!#CANWNT #SummerSendOffSeries pic.twitter.com/wYWrdqgjIF
— CANWNT (@CANWNT) June 5, 2024

Canada's preparations for the upcoming Olympics Games in Paris are now complete, having played twice against Mexico in early June.

Zadorsky will hope to be part of the squad that heads to Paris, where Canada will face the hosts, New Zealand and Colombia in Group A in Saint-Étienne and Nice.

“We have a really exciting group," she explained. "We’ve progressed so much as a team since the World Cup [in 2023].

“The streak of games that we’ve had has been really good, we’ve played against some really tough opponents, and I think the quality and the versatility of this group has shone through, so it’s really exciting.

“We have that pre-tournament buzz now. All of us are really excited, and everyone knows it’s such an honour to represent your country, especially at the big tournaments.”