Pair of victories pushes Canada through to quarters at wheelchair rugby worlds
Knockout round begins Friday vs. U.S. with live coverage across CBC Sports platforms
Canada is moving on at the wheelchair rugby world championship.
A 59-42 win over Brazil for the sixth-ranked Canadians clinched their spot in the quarter-finals, which take place on Friday in Vejle, Denmark. The semifinals go Saturday with medal matches on Sunday.
Canada wound up third overall in its group following a narrow 58-56 win over Denmark, which placed fourth, later in the day.
It will meet the third-ranked United States, which placed second in Group A.
Canada's depth shone in the Brazil victory, with 10 different players recording points. Matt Debly, of Windsor, Ont., led the team with 19 points. Zak Madell, who led Canada in each of its previous three games, registered 10 points in the first quarter before resting for the remainder of the win.
WATCH | What's at stake at wheelchair rugby worlds:
"It was an important win for us," said Canada's co-captain Patrice Dagenais of Embrun, Ont. "Especially that we were behind early in the game, and we were able to come back. We felt we were in control in the second half so it's good for our confidence."
The other quarter-final matchups in Denmark feature Denmark vs. France, Australia vs. Great Britain, and Japan vs. New Zealand.
France (5-0) finished atop Group A ahead of the Americans (4-1). Great Britain (3-2) and New Zealand (2-3) claimed the last two playoff spots, while Germany (1-4) and Switzerland (0-5) failed to advance from the group.
"The eight teams headed to the quarter-finals are all good and I think we can beat anybody here," said Dagenais. ''It was important for us to focus on our game today, play well and bring that momentum forward tomorrow."
More than 130 players, including a record 13 women — three of whom are members of the Australian team — are competing at the event.
In September, Canada beat reigning Paralympic champion Great Britain in the Quad Nations final and has demonstrated major growth since a disappointing fifth-place finish in Tokyo.
Canada's 12-member squad at worlds, which includes 11 Paralympians, also won silver in June at the Canada Cup in Richmond, B.C.
The Canadians won silver at 2014 worlds and are searching for their first world title since 2002.
WATCH | Canada beats Brazil:
Canada's roster
- Zak Madell — Okotoks, Alta.
- Fabien Lavoie — Quebec City
- Mike Whitehead — Windsor, Ont.
- Matt Debly — Windsor, Ont.
- Shayne Smith — Toronto
- Cody Caldwell — Peterborough, Ont.
- Anthony Létourneau — Boisbriand, Que.
- Travis Murao — Toronto
- Patrice Dagenais — Embrun, Ont.
- Trevor Hirschfield — Parksville, B.C.
- Eric Rodrigues — Mississauga, Ont.
- Byron Green — Vancouver
