Canada heading back to Peace Queen Cup final

After its third win in three matches, Canada is heading back to the Peace Queen Cup final for a likely rematch with the United States. Canada’s women’s national team posted a 2:0 victory today over New Zealand to finish first in Group A with a perfect 3-0-0 record (9 points). Canada will be heading to the final just as it did at the inaugural Peace Queen Cup in 2006.



The United States is expected to finish first in Group B after Thursday’s matches. After wins against Australia and Brazil, the United States can clinch a spot in the 21 June final with either a win or a draw against Italy. The United States has six points while Australia and Brazil (who meet in the other Thursday match) are tied with three points each.



In Group A, Canada posted a 5:0 win over Argentina, a 3:1 win over Korea Republic and a 2:0 win over New Zealand. Through the two editions of the Peace Queen Cup (2006 and 2008), Canada has an all-time record of six wins and one loss. Canada’s only loss was the 0:1 defeat to the United States in the 2006 final.



Canadian captain Christine Sinclair is also rolling along in the 2008 Peace Queen Cup. She scored her fifth goal in three games in the Wednesday match against New Zealand. She has 11 goals in seven career Peace Queen Cup games. Sinclair is also Canada’s all-time leader with 91 goals in 118 career international games.



Already this year, Canada and the United States have faced each other three times. In 42 meetings, Canada has a record of three wins, four draws and 35 losses against the United States. Canada’s last point against the United States was the 1:1 draw on 12 April 2008 at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. Canada’s last win against the United States was the 3:0 victory on 11 March 2001 at the Algarve Cup.



Canada’s women’s national team, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting partner is Teck Cominco, is simultaneously preparing for the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. After the 2008 Peace Queen Cup, Canada will return home to play Brazil on 10 July at BMO Field in Toronto, ON. Tickets to the 10 July match, presented by Winners, are available via Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.ca / 416.872.5000).