After the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup draw on December 6, 2014, head coaches from the four Group A teams, including Canada's John Herdman (second from left), posed for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)

OTTAWA – In the six-edition history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the host nation has lifted the trophy on only one occasion.  The United States earned that distinction in 1999 by prevailing over China PR in the final, 5-4 on penalty kicks, after a scoreless draw.

Canada will attempt to replicate that feat next year, when it welcomes 23 other teams to six cities across the nation from June 6-July 5.

That task became clearer on Saturday following the Final Draw at the Canadian Museum of History.  The Canadians were seeded directly into Group A and will face China PR, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Head coach John Herdman was pleased with the outcome, although for reasons pertaining more to another group.

“We were happy,” the 39-year-old laughed.  “You got to say the ‘Group of Death’ with (Sweden head coach) Pia Sundhage, with Sweden, the USA, Nigeria.  I mean if you are not in that group, you got to be happy.”

While avoiding the potential pitfalls of Group D, Canada realizes its own quartet poses a reasonable level of challenge.  Interestingly, in five previous World Cup appearances, the CONCACAF power has advanced past the group stage just once, finishing fourth in 2003.

“I think our group is, it’s not an easy group, but it’s not a hard group for us either,” expressed Herdman.  “We think, if anything, it’s a group we can finish top of.

“Those teams are ranked lower than us.  We know that they’ve progressed in the last few years, but they’re teams that we got results against in the last three years of my tenure.  We are unbeaten against all three of those teams.”

An extra added attraction for Herdman is that he will have the opportunity to square off against New Zealand, the teams he coached from 2006-11.  The Englishman qualified the Football Ferns for two FIFA Women's World Cups (2007, 2011), one Olympic Games (2008) and captured a pair of Oceania championships (2007, 2010).

“I get a chance to play against my old team, New Zealand, which I hoping was going to happen” Herdman beamed.  “I mean I’ve only coached two groups of players in the women’s game and, you know, the New Zealand girls meant a lot to us and to be able to share a moment with Canada is going to be really cool.”

Regardless of internal and external expectations, Herdmann knows that Canada must rely solely on itself for success in the competition.

“We go into it with our destiny in our own hands to some degree,” he expressed, quickly adding, “with no excuses.”