Canada U-20's lose CONCACAF semi

January 28, 2010

Canada were dethroned as CONCACAF Under-20 Women's champions after suffering a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Mexico in the semifinals in Guatemala City on Thursday.

Canadian goalkeeper Cynthia Leblanc let a routine inswinging corner from Mexico striker Veronica Charlyn Corral slip through her hands. The ball then struck Leblanc in the forehead before bouncing into her own goal in the 104th minute.

The result sets up a championship final showdown between Mexico and the United States on Saturday. Earlier on Thursday, the Americans won the first semifinal with a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica. It will be the first time in the history of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship that Canada have not played the USA in the final.

The victory also earned Mexico a third straight trip to this summer's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, as they joined the Americans in qualifying for Germany 2010. Canada, meanwhile, must now defeat Costa Rica in Saturday's third-place match in order to qualify for a fifth-straight FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

"For now, we need to recover and use all of our time to do so," Canada captain and Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Chelsea Stewart told CanadaSoccer.com. "We have to bring everything we have for the next game. We have to want it more than Costa Rica."

Canadian head coach Carolina Morace's starting XI included Stewart in midfield and Whitecaps teammate Shannon Woeller in the team's defence. Former 'Caps centre back Lexi Marton also started in Canada's backline. On 61 minutes, Whitecaps youngster Jenna Richardson replaced Chloé Malette in the Canadian attack.

Mexico's Sandra Mayor hit the junction of post and crossbar on 73 minutes with the best chance of the match before extra time. She dribbled across the top of Canada's box before unleashing a right-footed blast that banged off the woodwork.

Mexico started Thursday's semifinal with possession and chances for the first 10 minutes, but Canada took control and had the better of the play for the remainder of the opening half. Julie Casselman's far-post header from Stewart's cross in the 40th minute was well saved by Mexico goalkeeper Aurora Santiago.

Canada started the second half and had more possession and opportunities, but on 72 minutes, Corral capitalized on a turnover to get off a quick shot from just inside the Canadian box, while Mayor's 73rd-minute blast off the framework of Canada's goal was the best chance from either side over the initial 90 minutes.

The extra-time winner appeared to inspire Mexico, who had three good chances in the final 16 minutes of the contest. Corral put a header off a cross from Mayor just wide in the 110th minute, while the skilful Mexican attacker also had the first of two consecutive shots in the 116th minute that Leblanc did well to stop.

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