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SOCCER MEDIA REPORTS: CANADA'S DRAW FOR 2007 FIFA WORLD CUP PLACE IN CHINA
22nd April 2007 From CSA and Other Reports Canada’s Senior Women's team has drawn third seed Norway, Ghana, and Australia for the upcoming 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in China. The four countries were placed into Group C during the Official Draw, held Sunday 22nd April in Wuhan, China. Andrea Neil and Les Meszaros represented Canada at the event. While in China, Andrea Neil represented Canada when she substituted into the FIFA All Star team against China at 46 minutes. The match ended in a narrow 3:2 victory for China, and marked the holding of the official draw. “I am quite pleased with the outcome” says Canadian head coach Even Pellerud. “Group B looks very strong while the other three groups are quite even, so I am satisfied with this result.” Indeed, all three countries will bring their unique styles of play to bear in September for the group stages of the tournament. Canada plays Norway on 12th September in Hangzhou, then Ghana on 15th September also in Hangzhou, and finally, Australia on 19th September in Chengdu. Canada has faced Norway eight times in international competition with the best result ending in a 1:1 draw in a 2002 international friendly. The teams have also faced each other in two previous FIFA Women’s World Cups. The World Cup match in 1995 ended in a 7:0 loss for Canada, followed by a 7:1 loss in 1999. The teams last faced each other in a 2005 international friendly, which Canada lost 0 - 3.
Canada and Ghana have played each other only once in international competition. The international friendly match from 2003 ended in a 1:1 draw. Canada and Australia have faced each other thirteen times over the past twenty years. The most recent result at a 2003 international friendly ended in a 2:0 win for Canada. “Norway will be considered the favorites in Group C, said Even pellerud, but we should put in a good fight for second place. We know Australia quite well, but we will need to scout the African team during our preparations”. Canada finished fourth at the 2003 Women’s World Cup that took place in the United States. The team is currently ranked 10th in the world and looking to move up in the rankings. “We have a core group of players who are returning from the 2003 World Cup,” says Pellerud. “We will count on their experience during the tournament because they know what to expect in this type of competition. Our first big goal will be to get through the group stages”. The FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 kicks off on 10 September and runs through to the final on 30 September. Group A:
RhianWilkinsonSoccer.com is the Official Website of Rhian Wilkinson. |
