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TEAM CANADA: Canada Draws Mexico 1 -1
Sunday, February 26, 2006 Canada’s Women’s National Team earned a 1-1 draw against Mexico with a second half goal by Martina Franko in front of a small, but rowdy crowd at Indio California High School in Palm Springs, California on Saturday night. The game started slowly with neither team really getting a handle on the rough field conditions. However, once the Canadians settled into their game plan, the pressure started to pay off. Sharolta Nonen's free kicks were dangerous all night and in the 30th minute, Franko's header off a Nonen free kick, hit the post. However, only five minutes later, Mexico's Lupita Worbis took advantage of some miscommunication from the Canadian defenders and slid the ball into the open net behind Taryn Swiatek. The second half started with a frenetic pace as Canada used their width to create wave after wave of chances. It paid off in the 66th minute as Christine Sinclair was pulled down about 35 yards out from the Mexican goal. Nonen used one of her patented free kicks to drive the ball into the box where Franko out jumped the Mexican defenders to head the ball into the back of the net. Canada continued to put on the pressure and was nearly rewarded in injury time as Sinclair raced down the left flank and put in a cross on the ground which Brittany Timko just couldn't get her right foot on. It was a valiant effort for a side that started slowly but took control of the game from the second half. “An enthusiastic host team took an early advantage of a Canadian team that looked casual following the relatively easy 3-1 win on Thursday,” said Head Coach Even Pellerud. “The first half was evenly played but Mexico capitalized on a long pass in when two of our defenders went for the same ball and the net was open. Fortunately, the whole team stepped up the level in the second half and started to penetrate from both flanks. Martina Franko jumped high on a well served free kick from Sharolta Nonen and tied the game.” “The remainder of the game was constant pressure towards the Mexican goal but we could not finish the attacks with sufficient composure.” Canada will travel to Vancouver, BC to play the first of a two game series against the Netherlands on Wednesday, March 1st at UBC Thunderbird Stadium. The second match will be played at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, BC on Saturday, March 4th. Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast the second match (March 4) live on all channels.
February 25, 2006 – International Friendly Indio High School - Palm Springs, California Canada: 20-Swiatek, Taryn; 3-Schmidt, Sophie; 4-Wilkinson, Rhian (16-Thorlakson, Katie, 80); 6-Nonen, Sharolta; 7-Morneau, Isabelle (2-Latham, Christine, 46); 8-Matheson, Diana; 9-Franko, Martina; 10-Hooper, Charmaine (c) (17-Timko, Brittany, 81); 11-Hermus, Randee; 12-Sinclair, Christine; 13-Walsh, Amy (15-Lang, Kara, 75); Head Coach: Even Pellerud Based on CSA Report.
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