Fowler and Kennedy play as Australia lose to Canada | OneFootball

Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy both started for Australia as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to reigning Olympic champions Canada in a friendly in Marbella.

The two sides are both in training camps in the south of Spain ahead of the Paris Olympics, starting later this month.

Fowler was heavily involved in Australia's goal midway through the first half, driving at the defence from the right and playing the ball across the box to team mate Sharn Freier who took a touch and fired home.

City at the Olympics | Who's playing and when

Canada responded brightly and had an equaliser just before half-time when Nichelle Prince pounced on an error by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to tap home.

Kennedy was one of five players replaced at the break, taking a seat in the stands to watch the second half with her team mates.

WATCH: Fowler and Kennedy help City team-mates prepare for Australia tour 2024!

Fowler remained on the pitch for the full match, but was largely reduced to a defensive role in the second period as Canada took control.

Australia's determination almost paid off but a composed Evelyne Viens finish won it for the gold medallists from the Tokyo games in 2021.

Due to this fixture being a B International, this match will not count toward official statistics, such as caps, goals and FIFA ranking points.

Fowler and Kennedy will both represent their country at the Olympics, where the Matildas will face Germany, USA and Zambia.

Also at the tournament will be Japanese internationals Yui Hasegawa and Risa Shimizu and Spain's Laia Aleixandri.

Julian Alvarez has been named in the Argentina men's squad.

It all gets under way on Wednesday 24 July and we'll have match reports from every game at the Olympics involving our players on mancity.com and our official app.