Canada advances to CONCACAF semis
Posted January 22, 2012 12:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER – Christine Sinclair scored a goal and set one up as Canada defeated Cuba 2-0 in front of 12,417 fans at BC Place Saturday night, and she only played the first 45 minutes.
“It’s fun,” Sinclair said of watching the second half from the bench. “[Canada coach John Herdman] is a brilliant coach and knows what he’s doing — it’s always fun to watch your teammates play.”
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The attendance set a record for a CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament match in Canada.
“The crowd here tonight was absolutely phenomenal, 12,000 fans,” Kaylyn Kyle said. “They were singing my name after when I was signing autographs. It just goes to show Canadians come out for a good time and are really supportive — it’s really nice.”
Herdman was true to his word, making eight changes to the lineup that took the field in the tournament’s opener against Haiti on Thursday. Only Sinclair, Shannon Weller and Melissa Tancredi, who went on to score Canada’s second goal on Saturday, retained their starting spot.
“That’s what John does,” Sinclair said. “When you get put on the roster, you better expect to play. He told us heading into this tournament that every player would get to play, and everyone has. It’s about creating that depth because injuries happen in tournaments like this — in the Olympics, whatever it might be — and players have to step in.”
With the win, Canada maintains its lead atop of Group A on goal differential, equal on points with Costa Rica. It also officially booked a spot in the tournament semifinals.
Canada’s first real opportunity came 12 minutes in, as Sinclair won a corner. Kaylyn Kyle’s ball found Sinclair, but the Canadian captain could only direct a weak header toward Cuban goalkeeper Lucylena Martinez, who bobbled before gathering at the second attempt.
Four minutes later, Kyle beat her marker before being taken down in the box, forcing referee Gillian Martindale to point to the spot. Sinclair stepped up to take the penalty, coolly slotting it into the left corner of the Cuban goal to give Canada a 1-0 lead.
Under eight minutes later, Canada doubled their lead, as Melissa Tancredi opened her account for the tournament. Sinclair hit a well-placed cross from the right side and the Ancaster, Ont., native powered it home. Martinez appeared to get a piece but the strength of the header saw it through for the 2-0 goal. Midfielder Alyscha Mottershead, making her first competitive start, played a wonderful outside-of-the-foot pass in the build-up to find Sinclair breaking down the right side.
Canada must have thought they had a third in the 36th minute when Chelsea Buckland got on the end of a Sinclair cross, but although she beat Martinez comfortably, the forward could only watch as the ball bounced off the left post harmlessly for a Cuba goal kick.
Near the end of the half, Martinez went down mysteriously, clutching her right leg. Replays didn’t indicate anything obvious, but she was eventually able to resume.
At the half, Sophie Schmidt replaced Sinclair, and goalkeeper Erin McLeod assumed the captain’s armband.
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In the 51st minute Buckland slipped by a Cuban player with a nice feint in the penalty area before finding Schmidt completely open in the middle of the box. But the substitute fired right at Martinez, meaning the score remained 2-0 as the ‘keeper handled confidently.
Canada continued to push in the 54th minute, as Kyle’s cross found Tancredi six yards out, but Martinez made a vital intervention, forcing a corner. Four minutes later, Melanie Booth was taken off for Chelsea Stewart as Herdman used his second substitution.
In the 61st minute, Kelly Parker came into the game for Buckland with Canada’s final substitution.
In the 73rd minute, Robyn Gale put a dangerous ball into the box from the right side, and after a scramble in which it appeared a Cuban player handled the ball, the referee eventually blew for a Tancredi handball. Martinez again went down clutching her right leg, but after another extended break to receive treatment, stayed in the game.
With four minutes remaining, Canada won a foul at the top of the box. Schmidt hit a curling effort but it was too central, allowing Martinez to parry it over the bar.
After the 2-0 win, Canada now prepares for a match against Costa Rica on Monday. Costa Rica sits second in Group A, but equal on points with Canada with six. Canada recently defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in the Pan American Games this summer, a tournament that they eventually went on to win.
