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Canada wrapped up the 2013 Yongchuan Cup – Four Nations Women’s Tournament by drawing 0-0 with Norway. Having collected four points in the round-robin play (previous matches with a 1-0 win vs. China and 3-1 loss vs. South Korea), Canada finished the tournament in second place, only bested by Norway.
Christabel Oduro had the first opportunity of the match as she made her way into the box unmarked. She got on the end of a Jodi-Ann Robinson throughball right as the play was broken up.
Diana Matheson then found space to shoot from distance, albeit a weak shot easily saved by Norwegian goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.
Oduro displayed her speed as she outran her marker. The shoulder-to-shoulder race was enough of a distraction to throw off her shot and give Hjelmseth a slight edge in palming down the ball and collecting the rebound.
Upon a free kick just outside the box, Mari Knudsen headed her effort wide of the post.
Then, a great sequence of passes allowed Isabell Herlovsen to strike a volley, but Erin McLeod’s reaction save sent the ball over the crossbar.
Match Highlights: Canada WNT 0-0 Norway
In the second half, Hersloven went unchallenged by the Canadian defence. Her shot ricocheted off the crossbar.
Oduro once again sped past the Norwegian backline for a potential breakaway. Hjelmseth was quick off her line to slide tackle the ball to avert any danger.
After starting the first match and Karina LeBlanc taking over goalkeeping duties in the second match, McLeod was back in net, earning her second tournament shutout.
With many young players starting and subbing in, Canada played remaining minutes of the match with eight players 25-years-old and under, three of which are only 17.
The next tournament for Canada is the Cyprus Women’s Cup, March 4-14 where they will take on Finland, The Netherlands and Switerland in Group B action. Having served three of her four-game suspension, Christine Sinclair is guaranteed to miss the first game of the Cyprus Cup should she be called up.
CANWNT: Canada 0-0 Norway, Reaction
Starting Line-ups:
Canada:
Erin McLeod; Rhian Wilkinson (Robyn Gayle, 73’), Emily Zurrer, Kadeisha Buchanan and Lauren Sesselmann (Bryanna McCarthy, 62’); Desiree Scott (Ashley Lawrence, 75’), Diana Matheson (captain) and Sophie Schmidt (Tiffany Cameron, 62’); Christabel Oduro, Jodi-Ann Robinson (Kaylyn Kyle, 40’) and Adriana Leon (Nichelle Prince, 90’)
Norway:
Ingrid Hjelmseth; Kristine Hegland, Marit Christensen, Ingrid Ryland, Nora Berge and Lene Mykjaland; Mari Knudsen, Ingvild Isaksen and Idan Enget; Isabell Herlovsen and Leni Kaurin
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