Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

GAME DAY VS JAPAN 7th March 2008

Even though we beat Russia 2 - 1 the other day, the victory was not a convincing one. We knew that we would have to put in a much better
performance to beat an on-form Japanese team. This is exactly what happened.

It is always a good feeling to win a match, but to win against a good team, who are playing well, and to dominate them feels even better. We needed a match where we played very well, and this was it. We came out pressuring hard, a strategy that has worked well for us against a very organized and patient Japanese team. I think we had them on the back foot almost immediately, and this was something of which we took full advantage.

We were a goal up pretty quickly, and even before we scored the goal, we had some great opportunities. Diana Matheson hit the crossbar, then I had a breakaway only just saved against me. The first goal finally came when the ball was crossed into the box to Sincy who hit it off a defender’s arm for a PK. Obviously she converted the spot kick, and she had her first of the three goals she scored in the match./p>

The second goal came from a pass I made to her, that she chipped over a defender’s head, then deked another one, and slammed it home. The final goal was from an amazing individual display that involved her getting the ball by the end line, cutting back in, and shooting a curler toward the far post. The ball was heading in already, but it was hel;ped on its way by a Japanese defender heading it into the top corner.

We were all well pleased with what we accomplished in this match, but also we are very tired. High pressure tactics are a very demanding way to play the game, and it is fortunate we are so fit. We are looking forward to the two day break we now have between games. Tomorrow we are going on a tour of Cyprusa. I am looking forward to seeing the real Cyprus and not just the touristy areas… then again, we are going on a guided tour?? It will be better than not seeing anything at all.

CANADA WINS SECOND STRAIGHT IN CYPRUS

March 7, 2008 From CSA Report

Canada won its second-straight match today at the Cyprus Cup, this time a 3 - 0 win over East Asian champions Japan. Christine Sinclair connected for her eighth-career hat trick in the victory.

"I have rarely seen the team come out more focused than in this match," says head coach Even Pellerud. "The game plan was very well executed. The team had excellent leadership from Sinclair, Martina Franko, Candace Chapman and Diana Matheson. Sinclair was unstoppable up front and the Japanese defence could do very little to limit the conceded goals."

In the first half, Canada created the first good goal-scoring opportunity in the fifth minute, but Diana Matheson was denied by the crossbar. Seven minutes later, Rhian Wilkinson drove to the net on a breakaway, but the Japanese goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto was up to the task and made the save.

In the 22nd minute, Canada was awarded a penalty kick after a Japanese defender got her hand on the ball to prevent a goal. Canada's Sinclair made no mistake and scored on the penalty kick.

Canada continued to mount their attack in the first and Kara Lang had a good opportunity in the 31st minute. In the 42 minute, Sinclair scored her second goal after she converted a Wilkinson cross.

In the second half, Japan started to mount an attack, but Canada turned the game back in their favour. Teenager Jonelle Filigno had a good chance, but did not score. Sinclair then netted her third goal of the game in the 80th minute on a pass from Matheson. Japan had three-straight corner kicks near the end of the match, but could not beat the Canadian defence.

"This Japanese team came in to the Cyprus Cup after winning the East Asia Championships and they challenged our team with smooth movements and clever passing," says Pellerud. "Our back four played with consistent shape and kept the Japan attack to the flanks. The most dangerous threats came from free kicks, which the precise Japan services challenged us all afternoon."

Sinclair now has 85 goals in her international career with the senior team. Shortly after Sinclair's third goal, teenager Alexandra Marton made her debut with the senior team in the 81st minute.

Also of note in the game from the starting XI, Wilkinson earned her 50th appearance while Hermus earned her 99th appearance.

"We will next play a friendly match against Scotland on 10 March," says Pellerud. "The Scotland game will serve us the outstanding opportunity to test out other and well rested players on our roster."