Toronto Star, Canadasoccer.com, Vancouver Sun, Globe & Mail, Squizz

 

This match was called the day when the Canadian Women's team defined themselves. They had to get better, if they were going to get a result in a make-or-break game versus Sweden.

 

 

They had to move from words to putting all of coach John Herdman's psychological preparation to good use; they had to show the sort of mental toughness they've been accused of lacking in the past. They had to overcome a rash of injuries, get their tactics right, and they had to find goal-scoring sources other than Christine Sinclair.

Well wouldn't you know it: They did all this, and earned a berth in the Olympic quarter-finals. Canada put together the most composed, focused and organized match not just of this tournament, but in recent memory. They clawed their way back to a draw against Sweden on Tuesday afternoon in Newcastle. They tied against the #4-ranked Swedes and dominated the play for long stretches.

 

An encouraging start from Canada was quickly undone by a pair of goals from Sweden within two minutes of each other, with goals from midfielder Marie Hammarstrom in the 14th minute and forward Sofia Jakobson in the 16th.

 

There had been some skepticism about Herdman's work developing the team's self belief through sports psychology. The team was better psychologically prepared for this tournament than ever before and the team responded. They did precisely what they needed to do. They didn't fold. They kept fighting.

They proved that there are other scorers on the team than Christine Sinclair. Melissa Tancredi has scored four goals in three games, and Christine Sinclair has shown that she can create goals even if she's not the one with the final touch. To that end, she was integral in creating both goals against Sweden -- her give-and-go with Rhian Wilkinson allowed a perfect cross and set up Tancredi's first goal, and it was Sinclair's masterful cross that served up Tancredi's second.

 

Canada showed they can move the ball from the back without just a kick and chase. Canada's game on Tuesday showed their willingness to be patient with the ball in their own half. For years, this Canadian squad has relied too heavily on "kick and chase" tactics Against Sweden, the Canadians looked composed. They looked confident. They took a moment to weigh their options on the ball. And, as a result, they kept possession more often than not, and looked more dangerous on the attack.

 

"The girls stepped up today and showed their movement forward," Canada coach John Herdman said. "They're ready for the quarterfinals."

Canada had plenty of scoring opportunities as well. Tancredi narrowly missed getting her foot on a nice cross from Wilkinson early in the game, Jonelle Filigno had a second-half shot that a Swedish defender saved on the goal-line and Sinclair launched a long shot just over the crossbar in the 77th minute.

 

However, the day will be remembered as the day Canadians took over St. James’ Park. A familiar place to anybody who watches English Premier League matches, this wonderful venue welcomed Canada’s Olympic women’s soccer team with open arms for the past couple of days. And, whether it was their style of play and fight back, or the glaringly obvious hand-balls missed by the Korean referee Eun Ah Hong, the locals didn’t take long to side with their North American visitors.

It’s quite a stadium, engulfing fans. It was noisy enough with 12,719 out of a capacity of 52, 409 in attendance on Tuesday. “For me, this game was personal,” said Herdman, who watched the first part of the game from a perch in the stands. “It’s in your hometown – your own patch – in front of your family. I know the girls felt that way in Vancouver [during Olympic qualifying], but I wanted to make sure we got something out of this game.”

On 3rd August, Canada will play Team GB in Coventry (19.30 local).