CANADA DEFEATS SOUTH AFRICA IN FIRST EVER MEETING
1st March 2010 From CSA
article
Canada's Women's National Team defeated South Africa 2 - 1 today in the third
and final group match at the 2010 Cyprus Women's Cup. Noko Matlou scored first
for South Africa, but then Kendra Flock and Christina Julien scored goals in the
second half. Substitute Christine Sinclair set up both goals as Canada won its
fourth-straight match of the 2010 season. The Canada-South Africa match marked
the first time the two nations have played at the Women’s International level.
With first place in the group already secured, Canada made several changes to
its starting team. Coach Morace started Erin McLeod in goal, Robyn Gayle at
right back, Myriam Bouchard and Cindy Walsh at centre backs, Marie-Eve Nault at
left back, Jodi-Ann Robinson at right midfield, Laura Chénard and Sari Raber at
centre midfield, Caley Miskimmin at left midfield, and Kendra Flock and
Christina Julien at forward.
McLeod wore the captain's armband. Bouchard, Chénard and Miksimmin all made
their national debuts, while Scott and Flock started for the first time.
After some severe storms and inclement weather, today's match was played in warm sunshine,
and the Canadians played in their white strip.
“The match today was played in a great atmosphere as both teams had nothing to
lose,” said Canadian head coach Carolina Morace. “For us, having already
qualified was a great scenario as players who haven’t seen much action in the
tournament were able to play. I thought these players played well. In the second
half when we added our more experienced players the match changed.”
Canada started quickly and in the first minute of play nearly had the ball in
the back of the net. Chénard rose highto meet a Canadian corner kick, but her
header was well caught by the South African goalkeeper. Then, in the 8th minute
Jodi-Anne Robinson broke down the right wing and centered for an open Flock in
the South African box. Flock did well to receive the pass, but her low effort
bounced wide of the goal.
By the 20th minute, the momentum of the match started to change. South Africa
attacked with a sweeping move from deep in its own half. A series of short
passes brought South Africa to the top of Canada's box, but forward Matlou could
not supply the finish as her first-time shot flew over the bar.
Five minutes later Canadian goalkeeper McLeod was called to make an excellent
save at full stretch. South Africa caught the Canadian defence napping with a
quickly-taken free kick. Midfielder Hlengiwe Modiko hit a hard rising drive.
Canada then made two planned changes in the 32nd minute as Morace rotated her
regular starters to give them rest ahead of the Cyprus Cup final. Robinson
and Nault were replaced by Julien and Wilkinson. However, neither team was able
to create any further clear chances until a flurry of activity late in the first
half.
First, Wilkinson hit Miskimmin in full stride with an excellent diagonal ball
across the field. Miskimmin took two touches down the right side and hit an
inch-perfect cross to an onrushing Julien. The Canadian forward hit the
waist-high volley with her right foot, but the bullet shot blazed a foot over
the bar.
Just two minutes later, South Africa took the lead in added time. RSA forward
Maltou collected a loose ball at the top of the Canadian box and rode several
tackles before toe-poking her shot beyond a charging McLeod. South Africa had a
1-0 lead going into half - time, and out shot Canada 8 to 4.
Before the start of the second half, Canada made more substitutions and changed
formation. Veterans Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson
replaced Miskimmin and Gayle and the formation changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 with
Flock, Sinclair, and Julien at the top of the Canadian attack.
Canada immediately went on the attack as Sinclair wasted little time in making
her mark on the match. Fellow substitute Julien played a perfectly, weighted
through ball into Sinclair’s path inside the South African penalty area.
Sinclair, however, could only hit the side of the goal from 12 yards out.
Canada’s substitutions and change in formation soon proved too much for 55th
FIFA ranked South Africa. In the 54th minute, Canada equalized. Sinclair found
Flock behind the South African defence and Flock made no mistake kicking the
ball into the goal with a defender hanging on her back. It was Flock’s first
international goal in just her second appearance for Canada.
Two minutes later, Canada could have netted a second if not for the acrobatic
save of the South African goalkeeper. Sinclair again worked space before
unleashing a rocket of a shot that was palmed away by the goalie. The ensuing
corner kick found Julien at the back post, but her driven shot was blocked by
the defenders.
Canadian centre back Bouchard was shown a yellow card in the 63rd minute after
being forced to take down Maltou on a rare South African attack in the second
half. The resulting free kick caused no danger.
Morace made her last change of the afternoon as Chénard came out of the match to
be replaced by Moscato in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later, Canada took a
decisive 2-1 lead with a goal from Julien. Diana Matheson moved the ball through
the South African back line to Sinclair who gathered the ball, looked up, and
picked out an unmarked Julien at the far post. Julien duly sent the ball into an
empty goal. For Julien, it was her third straight match with a goal at the
Cyprus Women's Cup.
All three of Canada’s forwards (Sinclair, Julien, and Flock) had further
opportunities to score as Canada attacked the South African goal, but no more
goals were needed.
Canada whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck, has
won three-straight games at the 2010 Cyprus Women's Cup. Canada has won all four
of its international games in 2010.
Starting team: McLeod, Robyn Gayle (Diana
Matheson 40),
Bouchard, Cindy Walsh, Marie-Eve Nault (Rhian Wilkinson 30); JA Robinson (Julien
30); Chenard ( Moscato 65 ); Sari Raber;
Miskimmmin (Christine Sinclair 40); Flock; Desiree
Scott
Final group Standings at the 2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup:
Group 2
1st – Canada – Nine points (five goals scored, two conceded)
2nd - Switzerland – Four points (6-5)
3rd – England – Four points (3-3)
4th – South Africa – Zero points (2-6)
Group 1
1st – New Zealand – Seven points (5-2)
2nd - Netherlands – Five points (6-3)
3rd - Italy – Four points (4-4)
4th - Scotland – Zero points (1-9)
