The hosts of the 2015 Women's World Cup continued their struggles so far in the tournament, as Canada played to a scoreless draw against New Zealand in Group A play on Thursday.
The game was not without chances for both sides, but a missed first-half penalty and two other shots off the woodwork left the teams off the board in Edmonton.
Canadian striker Christine Sinclair forced a save from New Zealand 'keeper Erin Nayler midway through the first half.
The play of the game did not actually result in a goal. Amber Hearn had a chance to give New Zealand a lead in the first half, but her penalty kick following a foul by Allysha Chapman bounced off the crossbar and harmlessly away from goal.
Canada's Melissa Tancredi had a goal waved off just before halftime, as she was correctly ruled offside before receiving the ball on a free kick.
Nayler had another crucial save just after the break, as Sinclair's volley in the box was tipped off the crossbar in the best chance of the second half for both teams.
The game was delayed by about 30 minutes after just five minutes of the first half had been played in Edmonton, as lightning in the area necessitated a weather delay. Following the hiatus, the teams returned in sunny conditions and the match continued at 0-0.
Canada coach John Herdman learned in the tunnel during the delay that the rainy conditions that kicked off the game weren't only a hazard outside:
With the result, Canada will have to seek all three points in their group stage finale, against the Netherlands on Monday in Montreal, to ensure passage to the knockout rounds. Though there is a chance they could still move on with a draw or even a loss in the group stage finale, depending on how the other game in the group goes, what's certain is they are not yet assured passage to the Round of 16 after the draw on Thursday.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will have to win against China, also on Monday, for any hope of moving on in the tournament.
