Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

TEAM CANADA:

Canada Too Much for Mexico

Friday, February 24, 2006

Canada’s Women’s National Team started off their Spring season in good form, defeating CONCACAF rival Mexico by a score of 3-1 last night in Mexicali, Baja. This was despite Canada playing the entire second half a woman down.

Thankfully, the Canadians had built a sizable first half lead after a lively twelve minute spell that saw Canada grab three goals just before the halftime whistle. Christine Sinclair scored the first in minute 32 and then ten minutes later Charmaine Hooper stretched the lead to two. Sinclair then doubled her tally seconds before the interval and the Canadians looked to be cruising.

Then the match was suddenly turned on its head seconds after the re-start when Karina LeBlanc was shown a red card. But the Canadians re-organized defensively and although they surrendered one Mexican goal while playing a woman short, they never looked in danger of losing the lead they had builtin the opening 45 minutes.

“It’s nice to start the International season with a win – in particular when the win is a result of a dominant and quite consistent performance,” said Head Coach Even Pellerud. “After a number of good and well timed penetrating plays in the 1st half, we managed to capitalize three times. The second half became more a shape and discipline test when Karina (LeBlanc) was sent off early on after a rough call from the official.

“But Taryn (Swiatek) played very well coming in from the bench and she had full control in cooperation with our back four.”

International Friendly at Estadio Necaxa, Mexicali, BC, Mexico

CANADA – 3 (3) MEXICO – 1 (0)
Goals: CANADA – Sinclair 32, 44, Hooper 42; MEXICO – unavailable

CANADA: 1-LeBlanc, Karina; 7-Morneau, Isabelle; 6-Sharolta Nonen; 11-Hermus, Randee; 9-Franko, Martina; 3-Schmidt, Sophie; 5-Neil, Andrea (19-Thorlakson, Katie, 76); 8-Matheson, Diana; 12-Christine Sinclair; 10-Hooper, Charmaine (captain) (20-Swiatek, Taryn, 47); 17-Timko, Brittany (16-Wilkinson, Rhian, 84)
Head Coach: Even Pellerud (NOR)
Subs not used: 18-Apps, Amy (inj.); 13-Walsh, Amy (susp.); 15-Lang, Kara (unavail.); 2-Latham, Christine

Based on CSA Report.