Wales 0-3 Canada: New boss Gemma Grainger loses first game
- Published
Jordyn Huitema of Canada holds off Angharad James of Wales
New Wales boss Gemma Grainger saw her side lose their friendly 3-0 to Canada in her first game in charge.
Deanne Rose gave the visitors the lead in the first half in Cardiff, before Evelyn Viens doubled the advantage and Jessie Fleming curled home a third.
Wales' best chance came when Natasha Harding had a penalty appeal rejected.
The Wales players wore black armbands and a minute's silence was held to honour Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday aged 99.
Wales next host Denmark on Tuesday in another friendly, while Canada will play England on the same night.
Grainger chose a 4-3-3 system for her first game, with Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland given a debut in midfield while Brighton forward Kayleigh Green started, earning her 50th cap.
It was always going to be a tough test for Wales against a side ranked in the world's top 10 and Canada came close on 20 minutes when Laura O'Sullivan saved Christine Sinclair's shot, though the Canada captain was taken off injured shortly afterwards.
The visitors did manage to find the breakthrough on 24 minutes, when Quinn's ball over the top beat Wales' offside trap and Rose fired the ball into the roof of the net to score her 10th international goal.
Shelina Zadorsky hit the side-netting as Wales fail to defend a free-kick on 40 minutes, with the hosts struggling to create clear opportunities.
Canada doubled their lead before the hour when substitute Viens turned home from close range, with Wales seeing a penalty appeal waved away after slipping 2-0 behind.
The visitors made the result safe when Fleming curled home a brilliant third goal from 25 yards.
Wales finished the contest positively, with Esther Morgan handed a debut off the bench and Harding shooting over from long range as they sought a consolation goal.
But the winning margin could have been bigger as Ashley Lawrence and Sarah Stratigakis almost added a fourth goal for Canada.
Wales manager Gemma Grainger:
"I thought it was a really competitive game.
"We competed for periods of time in the game and not only competed but dominated against a top-10 team.
"Some of the play I saw from us was positive and that is why we want to play teams like this.
"I am learning about the group."