Canada books spot in semi-final with win over Cuba
Posted on 21 January 2012 in Women's Olympic Football Tournament
Canada booked its place in the decisive semi-final match at 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying in Vancouver with a comfortable 2:0 win over Cuba.
Christine Sinclair converted from the penalty spot to give the hosts the lead and Melissa Tancredi followed up with a headed effort to seal the two-goal victory in front of a record Women’s ‘A’ international crowd at BC Place in Vancouver. There were 12,417 fans in attendance for the Saturday 21 January match in downtown Vancouver, BC.
Riding the wave of confidence from a tournament-opening six-nil win over Haiti, Canada came out on the front foot yet again against Cuba.
The visiting Cubans elected to sit deep in their own half allowing the Canadians to create opportunities all evening.
Canada 2012 Highlights: Canada 2 - 0 Cuba
Canada first managed to break down Cuba when Kaylyn Kyle was taken down in the box just after the 15-minute mark. Christine Sinclair took the responsibility from the spot and passed the ball into the bottom corner to give Big Red the one-nil lead. The penalty conversion in the 17th minute was Sinclair’s 125th goal for Canada and her fifth in two games at Canada 2012 .
It was not long before Canada added to their lead as Sinclair was involved again delivering an enticing cross to Melissa Tancredi who buried her header in the 24th minute to make it 2:0. Alyscha Mottershead, making her first-ever start for Canada, initiated the play with a wonderful pass to Sinclair.
Cuba did little to threaten for the remainder of the half and the host Canadians headed into the break with a comfortable cushion.
Canada’s Head Coach John Herdman elected to change the dynamic of the game by removing captain Sinclair to bring on Sophie Schmidt for the start of the second half. Schmidt proved to be the catalyst for a number of Canada’s second half attacks as again the home side controlled the vast majority of possession.
It was Schmidt who went closest to adding a third for Canada in the second half as she latched onto a square ball from Chelsea Buckland with a firm effort but it was parried away by Cuban goalkeeper Lucylena Martinez.
Canada started the match making virtually wholesale changes from the squad that took on Haiti on the first day of the tournament.
Herdman’s starting XI featured Erin McLeod in goal and a back-line of Robyn Gayle, Carmelina Moscato, Shannon Woeller and Melanie Booth. Alyscha Mottershead, Kaylyn Kyle, Brittany Timko, Christine Sinclair, Chelsea Buckland and Melissa Tancredi made up the rest of the team through the midfield and up-front. Both Mottershead and Buckland were making their first starts at the international "A" level.
Canada’s first substitution featured Schmidt coming on as a replacement for Sinclair in the 46th minute. Chelsea Stewart was the next to come on for Canada as Melanie Booth gave way and finally Kelly Parker replaced Chelsea Buckland.
The night’s match at BC Place in Vancouver was watched by a record crowd of 12,417 – the largest ever attendance for a CONCACAF tournament match in Canada.
With the win, Canada confirmed that it will finish in one of the top two places in Group A and the team has booked its ticket to the all-important semi-final match at Canada 2012 which will determine qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Canada can clinch first place in Group A with a win or a draw against Costa Rica in their next match on Monday 23 January at 19.30 (local kick-off) in Vancouver.
