Canadian women off to Beijing

Canadian women's national team players and staff celebrate qualification to their first-ever Olympic Games after a 1-0 qualifying win over hosts Mexico on Wednesday.

April 9, 2008

CSA & Whitecaps FC

Canada's women's national team have qualified for their first-ever Olympic Games after a 1-0 semifinal win over Mexico at the CONCACAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament on Wednesday night.

Melissa Tancredi's goal just past the midway point of the first half secured Canada's place in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China. The result avenges Canada's 2-1 defeat to Mexico in qualifying for the 2004 Athens Olympics in Costa Rica, as Even Pellerud's side looked far more dangerous in attack at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez in Juarez, Mexico.

On a breezy spring evening, a predominantly Mexican crowd saw a bright start by the tournament hosts, with Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod needing to bravely challenge the onrushing Monica Ocampo and clear the danger away after just five minutes. Seven minutes later, Iris Adriana Mora struck a shot over the Canadian crossbar.

Canada soon replied with chances of their own, with Tancredi heading over Candace Chapman's long free kick forward on 14 minutes before the Canadian striker forced a save from Mexico goalkeeper Sophia Perez two minutes later.

The turning point of the match came on 25 minutes, as Canada took advantage of a defensive error by Mexico centre back Rubi Marlene Sandoval. Her slip in trying to deal with Kara Lang's headed clearance at the halfway line allowed Tancredi to latch on to the loose ball and break in on Perez. Despite being closed down by Natalie Raquel Vinti, Tancredi kept her composure to slip home a fine right-foot finish for her third goal of the tournament.

Mexico tried to make an immediate response to going behind, but only Patricia Perez's fierce effort caused some panic in the Canadian defence just before halftime.

The early stages of the second half saw Tancredi searching for a second goal, but her header from Lang's cross from the right flew over Perez's crossbar before she forced a fine save from the Mexico keeper on 49 minutes. A minute later, Clare Rustad forced Perez into another important stop to keep Mexico in the game.

Mexico kept pressing to find an equalizer, but Teresa Guadelupe Worbis failed to hit the target with a header from a corner before Juana Evelyn Lopez forced a good save from McLeod on 55 minutes. Six minutes later, the Canadian keeper made a more vital stop from Mora.

Canada still had chances to extend their lead, but Rustad had her effort stopped by Perez on 65 minutes before Sinclair was wasteful with a turn and shot in the Mexico box six minutes later.

With eight minutes remaining, Sinclair was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a long-range drive before substitute Brittany Timko was equally unlucky with a header that Perez knocked on to the woodwork on 88 minutes.

Desperately seeking a goal, Mexico's best chance in injury time fell to substitute Veronica Charlyn Corral, but her close-range shot flew high and wide of the target.

The final whistle brought joyous celebrations from the Canadian players, as Pellerud's side can now look forward to a trip to China and the Beijing Olympics in August. "The whole back four was excellent while Erin was very, very focused in net," Pellerud told CanadaSoccer.com. "She played easily her best game in this tournament on Wednesday. That was a good day to peak."

In the earlier semifinal, the USA needed three second-half goals to defeat Costa Rica 3-0 and book their place in Beijing this summer. On Saturday, Canada will meet fellow qualifiers USA in the tournament final live on CBCsports.ca, with kick off set for 6:30pm Pacific Daylight Time. Mexico and Costa Rica will meet for third place at 4pm PDT on Saturday.

Canada (Whitecaps players in bold)
18-Erin McLeod; 7-Rhian Wilkinson, 11-Randee Hermus (5-Robyn Gayle 72'), 10-Martina Franko, 9-Candace Chapman; 4-Clare Rustad, 8-Diana Matheson, 16-Jonelle Filigno (17-Brittany Timko 65'), 15-Kara Lang; 12-Christine Sinclair (captain), 14-Melissa Tancredi (21-Jodi Ann Robinson 76')

Mexico
20-Sophia Perez; 3-Rubi Marlene Sandoval, 4-Natalie Raquel Vinti, 5-Maria De Jesus Castillo, 13-Maria Lourdes Gordillo; 6-Monica Vergara, 7-Juana Evelyn Lopez, 11-Patricia Perez; 19-Iris Adriana Mora, 9-Monica Ocampo, 10-Teresa Guadelupe Worbis

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