RHIAN'S SOCCER REPORTS

Canada defeated Mexico for the second time in six days to win the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier championship on Monday 8th November in Cancún, Mexico. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair scored her sixth goal of the tournament in the 54th minute to lead Canada to a 1:0 victory. The win capped an impressive tournament for the Canadian squad who finished undefeated with a 5-0-0 record; tallying 17 goals while conceding zero.

With its place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 already secured, the Canadians faced a confident Mexico side coming off an impressive win over USA. The final proved to be a much tighter contest than the Group A match played between the two sides earlier in the competition.

The Canadian side created more in the way of clear cut chances in a cagey opening 45 minutes. Forward Melissa Tancredi saw a flicked header come back off the cross bar six minutes into the match and her follow up effort from the rebound was deflected wide.

PSinclair nearly broke the dead lock in the 22nd minute as she weaved through the Mexican defence before hitting a low shot which was saved at full stretch by Erika Vanegas in the Mexican goal.

Veteran Mexican forward Maribel Dominguez was the most dangerous Mexican player on the pitch and she won a pair of dangerous free kicks on the edge of the Canadian penalty area. Fortunately for Canada, the Mexican attackers were unable to trouble Karina LeBlanc in the Canadian goal. LeBlanc did have to be sharp in the 38th minutes as a low cross was destined for the far corner before she reached out a strong hand to push the ball away, and Rhian Wilkinson cleared the danger.

The match exploded into life in the 53rd minute. Canada worked a short corner routine to perfection to set-up Sophie Schmidt for a strike on goal. Her shot came back off the post and the rebound fell to Josée Bélanger at the top of box. Her first time effort was goal-bound until Mexican defender Veronica Perez deliberately used her hand to tip the ball over the bar. The Trinidad referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and produced a red card for Perez. Sinclair stepped up and calmly converted the penalty kick to give Canada the lead.

Playing one short, the Mexicans picked up the physical intensity as both teams committed to each tackle. However, the Canadian squad kept its defensive shape and its temper, and limited Mexico’s chances while comfortably seeing out the remainder of the match.

With the 1:0 victory over Mexico Canada completes the competition without conceding a single goal, an impressive feat in international competition.

Coach Morace named the same starting eleven from the side that defeated Mexico 3:0 in the final group stage match. This saw Melissa Tancredi and Carmelina Moscato return to line-up while youngsters Jonelle Filigno and Desiree Scott returned to the subs bench. LeBlanc started in goal, Marie-Eve Nault, Candace Chapman, Schmidt, and Rhian Wilkinson left to right across the back line, Kaylyn Kyle, Moscato, and Diana Matheson in midfield while Belanger, Sinclair and Tancredi in attack.

Canada made one halftime substitution as Moscato was replaced by Scott. The two other Second half substitutions saw Bélanger replaced by Filigno in the 73rd minute and Tancredi replaced by Christina Julien in the 83rd.