CANADA DEFEATS SWEDEN TO END SECOND IN CHINA FOUR NATIONS  TOURNAMENT  CSA Report           25th January 2011

Christine Sinclair was again the difference, this time in a 1:0 victory over Sweden at the 2011 Yongchuan Cup Four-Nation Women's Tournament. Sinclair outran three Swedish defenders and buried a low shot in the 32nd minute to put Canada on its way to its second victory in three matches.

It marks the first time since November 2006 that Canada HAS defeated one of the world's top-four nations. Over the last year, Canada's record is now two wins, three draws and two losses against top-10 nations, with the only defeats against the first- and second-ranked USA and Germany.

Canada carried much of the play, both before and after the Sinclair goal, but Sweden did not sit back. They created several chances of their own. Canada's Stephanie Labbé was in goal and she posted her fourth clean sheet in five career starts. "We played well in this game," said national head coach Carolina Morace. "In the second half, we continued to attack. We were not scared to attack the goal."

Indeed, Canada played very well from start to finish in the victory over Sweden, only Canada's second win in 13 matches between both nations since 1987 (2-1-10). Canada’s offence won eight corner kicks, with a few threatening scoring chances created off those set plays.

Canada created a decent chance in the 30th minute in between a pair of corner kicks at opposite corners in the Sweden end. After faking short, Canada went long and the ball found its way to Candace Chapman at the back post. Her shot was blocked, but won the second corner on the play.

Sinclair's goal was masterful. Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl hit a drop kick that went well past centre, but Canadian centre back Emily Zurrer got up and headed it back in the opposite direction. Three Swedish defenders started running back, but Sinclair split the trio and ran first to the ball before striking it past the advancing Lindahl.

“She was f5e or 6 metres behind the defenders and she just accelerated,” said Morace. “She was amazing. She has turbo jets and she is not even in her best condition (at the start of the year).” The goal was the 115th of Sinclair’s international career. She has scored in 12 of her last 15 matches, with three goals in three matches at the Yongchuan Cup.

Early in the second half, Canada forced Lindahl to be quick and good on a couple of exciting chances. It all started when a loose ball in the box was sitting beyond the group of Swedish defenders and Canadian attackers, but the incoming Kaylyn Kyle couldn't get to it quick to fire a dangerous-enough chance. Still, her rush helped Canada win a corner kick.

Off the ensuing corner, Canada played it short and created a great scoring opportunity with a dangerous shot, but the shot was stopped by Lindahl. Canada won another corner and another chance on goal, but Lindahl was up to the task.

Sweden changed the direction and for the next several minutes, put Canada on its heels and forced Labbé to make a couple of big saves of her own. Sweden won four corner kicks on sustained pressure before Canada finally switched its gears and moved the play back up the other way.

Canada continued to create chances in the final 30 minutes, but the excitement cooled off at both ends. Sinclair had another good run into the box in the 77th minute and Labbé was again forced to come up big in the 78th minute, but the Canadian XI held out for the victory.

The last close call came in the 88th minute when a Swedish shot was deflected by the Canadian defence, fortunately out of play and to the only advantage of a corner kick.

Canada won six points in three matches, but finished second in the competition behind first-place winner USA.

Both Canada and USA finished tied with six points (two wins and one loss), but USA finished first because they won the head-to-head battle against Canada on Match Day Two. Host China PR finished third while Sweden finished fourth. Sweden won the Fair Play award.

Canada's Christine Sinclair was named Most Valuable Player. "We showed to China's people that we have one of the best players in the world," said Canadian national coach Carolina Morace. "Christine Sinclair, for me, is actually the best player in the world. She's smart, she's fast and she plays for the team."