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Posted by
Melissa Tan,
June 6, 2015 |
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Melissa Tan
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Christine Sinclair scored the winning goal for Canada to take the opening match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 against China on Saturday at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.
During second half stoppage-time, substitute Jessie Fleming kept the play alive for Adriana Leon, who was taken down by the neck by Zhao Rong. A penalty kick was instantly called and Canada's captain cooly placed the shot off the post and in. The tense 53,000+ fans in stadium erupted after an excruciating 90 minutes and Sinclair ran directly to the bench to celebrate.
The penalty kick marked Sinclair's 8th WWC goal.
Canada had several opportunities that were building up near the box, but weren't able to capitalize. Both teams often put the ball wide or comfortably into the goalkeeper's arms, rarely presenting challenging tests. It was a less than convincing win, but something that Canada certainly needed to keep the excitement of the WWC brewing across the nation.
Three minutes in, Sophie Schmidt delivered a free kick into the box and Kadeisha Buchanan eventually got back-to-back chances, both of which were stopped by Chinese goalkeeper Wang Fei.
China answered back by winning a corner kick a minute later, but Erin McLeod easily grabbed it out of the air.
Sinclair's chance in the 8th minute was a tight angle shot wide, soon followed by Josée Bélanger's shot into the arms of Wang Fei.
China's Wang Lisi had similar frustrations, placing her attempt high and wide, as did Allysha Chapman.
A nervy moment for Canada came in the 19th minute off a short backpass by Lauren Sesselmann. McLeod was quick off her line to to smother the ball in front of an oncoming Gu Yasha.
Canada and fans alike sighed a huge, huge sigh of relief a few minutes later when a foul by Desiree Scott almost resulted in China's go ahead goal. Wang Lisi's free kick curved over the wall before bouncing off both posts and out.
In the 27th minute, the near post returned the favour for China when Bélanger's powerful shot from distance ricocheted off it.
Schmidt and Zhao Rong put their next chances wide, while Canada's scramble in the Chinese box was soon snuffed out.
On the cusp of halftime, McLeod's free kick deep in China's half almost caught Wang Fei off her line.
The turf monster almost claimed its visit victim when Buchanan slipped while kicking the ball. She was attended to by trainers, but returned in the second half.
Post-Match Reaction: Christine Sinclair
The next 45 minutes played out in similar fashion with plenty of half chances. In the 64th minute, the ever active Bélanger played a great ball to the endline for Kaylyn Kyle, but her cross was saved.
Schmidt, who's taken over free kick duties on the team, sent in a ball in the 66th minute to eventually set up a powerful shot wide by Scott. Han Peng's shot a minute later also had a similar fate.
Seventeen year-old Fleming entered the match in the 70th minute, officially becoming one of the few players in the world to have played in three consecutive WWCs at three different levels -- the U-17s in 2014, U-20s in 2014 and now the full senior tournament.
Canada's best chance on goal came in the 82nd minute. Schmidt played the ball to Sinclair, but her cushioned shot was easily handled by a diving Wang Fei.
Following Canada's goal in the second minute of stoppage time, it was an erratic minute by China with no consolations.
Post-Match Reaction: John Herdman
Canada now looks ahead to the match on Thursday, June 11 against New Zealand, coach John Herdman's former team. Their second match of the WWC kicks off at 9pm ET/6pm PT.
Starting XI:
Canada: Erin McLeod, Kadeisha Buchanan, Josée Bélanger, Lauren Sesselmann, Desiree Scott (Jessie Fleming, 70') , Christine Sinclair (C), Sophie Schmidt, Melissa Tancredi (Adriana Leon, 77'), Allysha Chapman, Jonelle Filigno (Kaylyn Kyle, 61'), Ashley Lawrence
China: Wang Fei, Liu Shanshan, Wu Haiyan (C), Li Dongna, Wang Shanshan, Li Ying (Zhang Rui, 61'), Zhao Rong, Gu Yasha (Ma Jun, 88'), Tan Ruyin, Wang Lisi (Han Peng, 41'), Ren Guixin
Post-Match Reaction: Josée Bélanger
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