Canada qualifies for CONCACAF semi-final

For more information on this match, please visit the following fixture link.



Canada’s women’s national team will face Costa Rica on Sunday 6 April (11.00 local time) in its second match at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. Canada has already qualified for the 9 April semi-final regardless of Sunday’s outcome, but the result will determine whether Canada finishes first or second in Group B. Canada needs a win or draw to finish first ahead of Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago.



All of Canada’s matches at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament are webcast on CBCSports.ca. Canada’s first two matches (2 April against Trinidad & Tobago and 6 April against Costa Rica) as well as the two semi-finals will be broadcast on GolTV. Tournament matches will also be televised by host broadcaster PCTV in México.



After Canada won 6:0 over Trinidad & Tobago on 2 April, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago played to a 2:2 draw on 4 April. A Canadian win (for six total points) or draw (four points) will keep Canada in first place. A loss (three points) would drop Canada to second place behind Costa Rica. If Costa Rica loses, the second-place spot will be determined by goal differential (Trinidad & Tobago finished at -6).



In Group A action, the United States and hosts México have already secured their places in the 9 April semi-final, although the order has yet to be determined. The United States will fight México for first place on 6 April. Jamaica has already been eliminated.



Canada’s coach Even Pellerud explains that his team has had a good series of days training in between matches. The team’s preparations will not be a whole lot different than it was for the Trinidad & Tobago match.



“Every game (and opponent) is different, although Costa Rica won’t be a whole lot different,” says Pellerud. “They may not have the pace of some of the Trinidad & Tobago players, but they should be better in zone play and on defence.”



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners, will gear towards its final preparations on Saturday evening, including a team meeting and review of tactics. The Sunday match kicks off at 11.00 (local time). Because of the change in hour in México, the 11.00 local start translates to 10.00 PT and 13.00 ET in Canada.