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“Games against New Zealand are always close, they’re a physical team that always plays very similar to us. In terms of tactics and the way they play is very similar to us,” Labbe said. “Holland, we’ve had very different games against them. We’ve had some games where we completely dominated and other games where it’s been super close. For them, it’s going to be about taking the mindset of being confident against them. They won the Euros so they’re in a strong position and are feeling good.”

The Dutch are reigning European Champions, so they won’t be a treat for Canada.

Holland won their first-ever European title on home soil in 2017, defeating Denmark 4-2 in the final.

New Zealand’s women soccer program was in large part built by former Canadian women’s national team head coach John Herdman, who has since moved on to the Canadian men’s program.

Cameroon played in the 2015 World Cup and put in an impressive performance in the group stages, before losing to China in the second round.

“You start to have these visions of how the draw could go and what it could look like and I think now that it’s set, it makes it more real and more exciting,” Labbe said. “We’re six months out now and with the draw done now, it’s down to business.”

If Canada is able to win their group, they could potentially avoid the United States until the final. Their road to the final could potentially go through England, Australia, and Germany in the knockout stages.

However, there are endless permutations and combinations depending on results of the group games.

“We know upsets happen and results go in different ways so you have to prepare so that doesn’t happen against you, and you have to be ready for those three games,” Labbe said. “And once you’re out of the group, your history and your ranking doesn’t matter any more. It’s do or die and you just have to leave it all out on the field, and hope for the best.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest