Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

SOCCER MEDIA REPORTS:

NO STRESS AS CANADA PREPARES FOR WWC SHOWDOWN WITH AUSTRALIA

16th September 2007

From The Canadian Press

The nearest section of the Great Wall of China is several hundred kilometres from this sprawling city but the Canadian women's soccer team can still feel it pressing against their backs.

There is nothing subtle about the challenge facing Canada in Wednesday's Group C showdown against Australia at the FIFA women's World Cup.

Canada must beat the MatiLdas at the Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium to advance to the playoffs. A loss or draw puts Australia through to the second round for the first time in team history.

It's back-to-the-wall time. Win or go home.

The pressure is on, but the Canadian women didn't seem to be showing any signs of strain Sunday. It was a loose and relaxed group that strolled through the airport after the 2.5-hour flight from Hangzhou following Canada's 4-0 manhandling of Ghana Saturday night.

Defender Kristina Kiss tossed a football around with goaltender Taryn Swiatek and assistance coach Ian Bridge while the team waited for its luggage. Striker Christine Sinclair playfully rubbed a pillow in a teammate's face. Players chatted about music and movies. No one sounded panicked or stressed.

"We understand the importance of this game," said striker Kara Lang, who helped set up the two goals Sinclair scored against Ghana. "It's pretty much do or die for us.

"That's kind of the nature of the tournament from this point on for us. We're going to embrace it and do our best."

Australia scored a late goal against Norway for a 1-1 draw Saturday. That tie hurt Canada in that it means a draw against the Australians won't be good enough.

No worries shrugged forward Rhian Wilkinson.

"We are an attacking team," said the native of Point-Claire, Que. "Even if we had been all right with a tie we wouldn't have been going for the tie. Let's go win it."

The Canadian women have some history when it comes to must wins at the World Cup.

At the 2003 event, Canada needed to beat Japan in their final group game to advance. They won the match and went on to the third-place game, which they lost to the U.S. Veteran Andrea Neil said that experience has paid interest.

"That's like putting a huge wad of cash in the bank and now we can take it out," said Neil. "To have that in the back of our minds, of a deja vu already seen, is incredibly important for us as a program."

Neil, 35, collected her 131st cap against Ghana. That moved her past Charmaine Hooper on Canada's list of all-time games played.

Australia came into the World Cup ranked No. 15 in the world but have proven themselves to be one of the surprise teams of the tournament.

Coach Tom Sermanni said his side will have its hands full with Canada, ranked No. 9.

"They are a very difficult team to play against," said Sermanni. "They are very strong.

"They play very direct and are very dangerous from set pieces. They are the kind of team that never gives up and keeps going. We are expecting a very difficult game."

Canadian coach Even Pellerud said his side must slow down fleet Australian strikers Sarah Walsh and Lise de Vanna.

"We need to find a way to contain that speed," he said. "Also, they are a team that is very strong in the air and all across the field.

"They are good at headers and have good size."

Canada will play its last Group C game in Chengdu, a city of about 11 million people located 1,782 kilometres from Shanghai. Located in the middle of Sichuan province, the thriving metropolis has a 2,300-year history and is known for its giant panda habitat and cotton-rose hibiscus.

A light rain fell during the day, bringing a welcome relief from the searing heat and stifling humidity of Hangzhou.

Pellerud put his team through a light workout at the Jinniu Stadium. Four policeman, dressed in black bullet-proof vests and carrying automatic weapons, watched the women stretch and kick the ball around.

The field was squeezed between a bowling alley and tennis courts. A flock of construction cranes dotted the skyline around the facility.

Australia and Norway lead the Group C standings with four points from a win and a draw each. Canada has three points from a win and a loss, while Ghana is winless.

The 16-team World Cup is being played in five cities in China. The championship match will be held Sept. 30 at Shanghai's Hongkou Football Stadium. The winning country will earn $US1 million.