Christine Sinclair slotted home the winning goal in the 94th minute to the delight of the provincial-record 7,534 fans in in Moncton, New Brunswick, giving Canada the Olympic send-off result it so much desired: a 1-0 victory in their women's international friendly against China PR.
Sinclair scored the winning goal off a Diana Matheson free kick. After Sinclair took a free kick of her own in added time, the bouncing play eventually led to a second Canadian free kick in the final minute of play. This time, Matheson took the kick and Sinclair broke in to tip the ball past Chinese goalkeeper Wang Fei. It marked the fourth added-time winner of Sinclair's international career, with previous added-time goals scored against New Zealand in 2000, China PR in 2011 (Yongchuan Cup), and Sweden in 2011.
With 7,534 in attendance, the Canada-China PR match set an attendance record for an international soccer match in the province of New Brunswick. While this marked the first-ever women's international friendly match in New Brunswick, previous men's, Olympic and youth matches have been played in the province (including the FIFA U-17 World Cup 1987). In three years time, Moncton, NB will be one of the venues for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
Match Highlights: Canada 1 - 0 China PR
Canada
Erin McLeod; Robyn Gayle (Rhian Wilkinson 46'), Candace Chapman (Emily Zurrer 46'), Carmelina Moscato, Chelsea Stewart (Marie-Eve Nault 58'); Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt (Chelsea Buckland 74'), Kelly Parker (Kaylyn Kyle 46'); Christine Sinclair, Brittany Timko (Melissa Tancredi 46')
China PR
Wang Fei; Li Jiayue, Wang Dongni, Ren Guixin (Gao Qi 58'), Lou Jiahui (Li Wen 85'); Liu Shukun, Wang Xin, Pang Fengyue, Zhou Feifei (Peng Han 64'); Wang Lisi (Ma Xiaoxu 39'), Zhang Rui
