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 Canadian women draw 0-0 with France
Whitecaps defender Randee Hermus made her 100th international appearance for Canada on Friday. March 14, 2008CSA & Whitecaps FC Canada's women's national team competed their five-match European tour with a goalless draw against France on Friday. The international friendly result follows a highly-successful trip to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where Even Pellerud's side claimed the 2008 Cyprus Cup title after wins over Russia, Japan, and the USA U-20 side. Their other match in Cyprus proved not as successful, as an experimental Canadian side lost 2-0 to Scotland in their last international friendly. Friday's game was a special evening for Vancouver Whitecaps defender Randee Hermus, as the Langley, BC, native made her 100th international appearance against Les Bleus. She joins teammate Christine Sinclair (109 caps), and former Canadian internationals Andrea Neil (132 caps) and Charmaine Hooper (130 caps) in making the century club. Hermus' international debut came on March 12, 2000, in the Algarve Cup in Portugal. The 4-0 defeat to China was incidentally Pellerud's first match in charge of the women's national team. Friday's game proved to be a good test against France, who are seventh in the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings. Played in front of 500 fans at the Stade Robert-Bobin in the French town of Bondoufle, both teams struggled to break each other down during the sixth international between the two nations, as the game finished 0-0. "A hard-fought tie against France finished off a long and successful European campaign," Pellerud told CanadaSoccer.com. "The team handled a quick turnaround from Cyprus to Paris in a very calm and professional way. The team was fully ready, but a little tired to take on the highly-ranked and very skillful French team." Pellerud's side will now return to back to their residency base in Vancouver, BC, and continue preparations for the CONCACAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament in Juarez, Mexico. The competition runs from April 2 to 12, with Canada drawn in Group B. They first play Trinidad & Tobago on April 2 before completing the three-team group with a game against Costa Rica on April 6. In order to qualify for Beijing 2008, Canada needs to finish as one of the top two teams in Group B and win a semifinal clash on April 9. The two finalists in Mexico will not only play the April 12 final, but also claim the two CONCACAF berths for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament 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. All mailed items must arrive in Vancouver by March 25 (before the team departs for Mexico), while email messages may continue to arrive through to early April. Canada line-up v France (Whitecaps players in bold) 18-Erin McLeod; 17-Alexandra Marton (21-Jodi-Ann Robinson 46', 2-Kristina Kiss 83'), 11-Randee Hermus, 10-Martina Franko, 9-Candace Chapman; 7-Rhian Wilkinson, 16-Kaylyn Kyle (4-Clare Rustad 60', 5-Robyn Gayle 90'), 8-Diana Matheson, 19-Jonelle Filigno; 14-Julie Armstrong (15-Brittany Timko 23', 3-Melanie Booth 90'), 12-Christine Sinclair More Women News Return To Whitecaps News |
