Team Canada walking football team sees great result at World Nations Cup

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Sunny South News

By Justin Seward
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Team Canada had a Federation of International Walking Footbal Associations’ Walking Football World Nations Cup to remember in England from Aug. 23-26.

The red and white roster included Will Tietz, George Lubberts and Bill Chapman of  Lethbridge at the inaugural event and finished with a world ranking of fourth.

Team Canada had a record of 3-2 in round robin play, finished third in their pool and earned a berth into the quarterfinals.

Canada had a 6-0 win over South Korea, a 3-0 loss to France, a 3-1 win over Japan, blanked Spain 3-0 and lost to England 10-0 in round robin.

The red and white beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in the quarterfinals and earned themselves a semi-final date with England, who beat them 10-0 and went on to win the tournament.

Chapman scored the lone goal to get Canada to the semi-finals.

Canada played Italy to determine an overall ranking and lost 6-1 to claim the fourth overall world ranking.

Lubberts was named top  goal keeper in the over 60 division.

The sport is a form of soccer but with no running, no physical play, shots can’t go above the head and shots have be taken outside the box.