Canada fall 2-0 to Scotland

March 10, 2008

CSA & Whitecaps FC

Canada's women's national team suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Scotland in an international friendly in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Despite having three goals called back by the match referee and dominating much of the play during Monday's game, goals by Stacey Cook and Pauline Hamill gave Anna Signeul's Scottish side the win on the Mediterranean island. As of last December, Scotland were 26th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, while Canada remain in ninth place.

Head coach Even Pellerud rested a number of his first-choice players against the Scots, with the Norwegian tactician handing four Vancouver Whitecaps players in teenage striker Julie Armstrong, midfielders Kaylyn Kyle and Brittany Timko, and defender Martina Franko starts on Monday.

The Canadians created chances from the game's kickoff, with Amy Walsh having two opportunities in the first quarter of an hour. Saskatoon, Saskatchwan, native Amy Vermeulen then forced Scotland goalkeeper Joanna Hutcheson to tip her shot over her crossbar in the opening 45 minutes.

After Kara Lang replaced the injured Melissa Tancredi on 24 minutes, Armstrong had the ball in the back of the Scotland net, but the Delta, BC, native was adjudged to be offside. They were denied a goal for a second time just before the break, as a foul against the Canadians ruled out Lang's strike. Canada then had a third goal called back shortly after the restart after the referee pulled play back following a foul to Armstrong. Kristina Kiss then squandered a chance on 59 minutes before Armstrong missed the target after being sent in alone on goal.

Though Cook scored for Scotland on 68 minutes, Canada continued to press forward, with Lang missing chances and Franko missing the target on 79 minutes. Against the run of play, Hamill sealed Scotland's win with her team's second goal on 82 minutes.

Canada's next game is the Cyprus Cup final against the USA U-20 women's side on March 12. The team will then complete their European trip with another international friendly against France in the Paris suburb of Meaux on March 14.

Pellerud's squad is preparing for the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualification tournament in Mexico early next month. Canada needs to finish as one of the top two teams in the six-nation tournament in order to win a berth to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China, later this year.

In Mexico, Canada is hoping to draw inspiration from letters and photos featuring the 'We Believe' theme. Canadian fans and clubs (from all walks of sport and life) are encouraged to send their support to the team via mail (Women’s national team, 580-375 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5C6), fax (778.330.1396) or email (believe@soccercan.ca). Clubs are especially encouraged to mail signed team photos or short video messages.

Canada line-up v Scotland (Whitecaps players in bold)
1-Karina LeBlanc; 10-Martina Franko, 17-Alexandra Marton, 2-Kristina Kiss, 7-Brittany Timko (4-Clare Rustad 55'); 3-Melanie Booth, 13-Amy Walsh (6-Sophie Schmidt 62'), 16-Kaylyn Kyle (21-Jodi-Ann Robinson 55'), 8-Amy Vermeulen (5-Robyn Gayle 46'); 12-Melissa Tancredi (15-Kara Lang 24'), 14-Julie Armstrong (9-Candace Chapman 74')


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