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TEAM CANADA:

CANADA ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR 2006 PEACE CUP IN SOUTH KOREA

21st October 2006 (Based on Soccer Canada Report)

Head Coach Even Pellerud has announced the squad who will compete for Canada in the inaugural Peace Queen Cup to be held in South Korea from October 28 to November 4, 2006.

Canada's squad has just completed a full-time training camp, and looks physically and tactically in good shape heading to South East Asia. In September 2006, the team made Canadian soccer history by breaking into the top 10 FIFA World rankings alongside Italy.

Since a loss to the United States on July 30th in Cary, North Carolina, the National Women's Team has fared well in recent competition. They are riding a four game winning streak with a 1-0-3 record after playing France to a 2:2 draw and defeating them 1:0 win in late August, 2006. Prior to that series, the team drew Asian powerhouse China on two occasions.

The squad for the Tournament is much as expected. FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year nominee, Christine Sinclair will spearhead Canada's attack and is captain of the side.

Goalkeeper Erin McLeod will be available for the tournament, and she has started in the last eight friendliest since defeating Holland 3:1 on March 4, 2006 in Victoria, British Columbia. Looking to earn her first cap with the senior side is Ottawa Fury’s goalkeeper Leisha Alcia, who was listed on the China series roster but did not play. Among the defenders, Candace Chapman will be making a comeback on the roster having not played since a friendly against the United States on June 26, 2005.

The invitation to join the Peace Cup came at a good time. "A two and a half week residency camp in B.C. is definitely a great way to develop the team, but it's hard to stay focused without the motivation of playing real, competitive games," said Coach Pellerud. "The tournament will offer us three or four (if we reach the finals) top international games, including Italy (who will be eager to beat us after their 2-1 loss in Toronto this summer). Also playing are the much improved host nation South Korea, and finally Brazil, a FIFA fourth-ranked team that we have not encountered since we played and beat them twice on home soil in 2003. Pellerud announced that "our goal is to play three consistent strong performances and hope to get a fourth game by reaching the final of the tournament."

The inaugural Peace Queen Cup will see eight women's national teams compete in group (Group A and Group B) match play across six cities where group winners will meet for a one match wins all final game. Canada is joined by Brazil, South Korea and Italy in Group A. Canada's first match will be on October 28th in Seoul versus Italy.

Schedule
October 28 vs. Italy
October 30 vs. Korea Republic
November 11 vs. Brazil
November 4 - Final (Winner of both groups)

Canadian Roster

# / Player / Pos. / DOB / Caps / G/S / Club / Hometown
22/McLeod,Erin/GK/2/26/1983/22/6/ Vancouver Whitecaps/Calgary, AB
1/Alcia,Leisha/GK/03/03/1982/0/0/Ottawa Fury/Mississauga, ON
2/Kiss,Kristina/M/13/02/1981/62/5/Unattached/Ottawa, ON
3/Booth,Melanie/D/M/8/24/1984/22/0/University of Florida/Burlington,ON
4/Andrews, Sasha/D/ 2/24/1983/35/3/Vancouver Whitecaps/Edmonton,AB
5/Neil, Andrea/M/10/26/1971/118 /22/Vancouver Whitecaps/Vancouver,BC
6/Schmidt,Sophie/M/D/6/28/1988/17/2/Vanc Whitecaps/Abbotsford, BC
7/Morneau, Isabelle/D/4/18/1976/82/6/Laval Comets/Longueuil,QC
8/Matheson, Diana /M/4/16/1984/49/1/Ottawa Fury/Oakville,ON
9/Chapman,Candace /D/M/4/21/1983/25/1/Vancouver Whitecaps/Ajax, ON
10/Franko,Martina/D/F/1/13/1976/13/3/Vanc Whitecaps/Squamish,BC
11/Hermus,Randee /D/11/14/1979/74/6/Vancouver Whitecaps/Langley,BC
12/Sinclair,Christine/F/06/12/1983/82/58/Vanc Whitecaps/Burnaby,BC
13/Walsh, Amy/M /9/13/1977/76/5/Laval Comets/St. Bruno, QC
14/Tancredi,Melissa/M/12/27/1981/12/0/Atlanta Silverbacks/Hamilton,ON
15/Robinson,Jodi-Ann/F/4/17/1989/3/0/Vanc Whitecaps/Richmond,BC
16/Wilkinson,Rhian/F/05/12/1982/26/3/Ottawa Fury/Baie D'Urfe, QC
17/Timko,Brittany/F/M/09/05/1985/54/0/Vanc Whitecaps/Coquitlam, BC
18/Gayle,Robyn/M/10/31/1985/6/0/Ottawa Fury/Mississauga, ON
19/Vermeulen, Amy/F/11/23/1983/2/0/Ottawa Fury/Saskatoon, SK

Staff

Even Pellerud - Head Coach
Ian Bridge - Assistant Coach
Bob Birarda - Assistant Coach
Les Meszaros - Team Manager
Dave Adolph - Athletic Therapist
Cathy Campbell - Team Doctor
Jamie Fales - Equipment Manager
Shelby Harlan - Massage Therapist
Angus Barrett - Head of Delegation