Building towards Beijing

May 6, 2008

By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

The achievement of Canada's women's national team in reaching the Beijing Olympics was formally recognized this week.

Even Pellerud's squad and staff joined members of the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and gathered media and guests at the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Vancouver's BC Place on Tuesday morning, as the Canadian women were congratulated for reaching their first-ever Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

Newly-elected CSA president Dominic Maestracci and recently-appointed general secretary Peter Montopoli praised the team for making it to Beijing, with Canada booking their place after finishing second at last month's CONCACAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament in Juarez, Mexico. A 1-0 semifinal win over the host Mexicans proved the key result for Canada, as they joined arch-rivals USA in being the confederation's two qualifiers.

Drawn in Group E with host nation China, Argentina, and Sweden, Canada will hope fortune is on their side in 2008 after suffering heartbreak when it went out at the group stage of last September's Women's World Cup finals in the Far East nation. "We have been to Beijing and China three or four times over the last few years, so the players are well aware of the environment and facilities over there," Pellerud told reporters on Tuesday. "I was in China for the Olympic tournament draw and the facilities there are fantastic."

With the Olympics still three months away, Canada will be busy with its preparations. They include two friendlies away to the Americans in Washington, DC, on Saturday and against Australia in Sydney on May 23. In June, the team will be in South Korea for the Peace Queen Cup tournament, with Canada facing one of its Olympic Group E opponents in Argentina. Midfielder Clare Rustad is pleased to have an early view of their South American adversaries. "It's a great way to prepare," said the Vancouver Whitecaps player. "It's certainly a lot easier than watching game tape of your opponents. You end up getting used to them, so it will be good for that. We can look at how they are tactically and skillfully."

One of the main concerns for athletes in Beijing may be pollution, and though the conditions may pose a challenge for the squad, striker Kara Lang expects her teammates to deal with the environment. "We know it's going to be a factor," the Whitecaps forward said to reporters. "Having played there for the World Cup, we are not going to allow ourselves to be surprised by it. We will prepare for it as much as we can and hope that it does not affect our game."

With last year's World Cup disappointment now behind them, assistant coach Bob Birarda believes the team's performances since the New Year have moved the squad to a new level. "There were some signs in Mexico, and beforehand in Cyprus, that the team is breaking through some barriers and doing some different things," said the Whitecaps women's team head coach. "With young players that are growing and getting opportunities, there's some excitement there."

Canada will open their quest for Olympic gold when they meet Argentina on August 6 before facing the host Chinese on August 9, with both games taking place in the city of Tianjin. They complete their Group E campaign against Sweden on August 12 in Beijing.

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