With the results that the Canadian Women's National Team have been securing in the past couple of months, players and fans alike can attest that the team is making great progress in preparation for the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifiers.
Canada capped off its latest 12 day training camp in Phoenix, Arizona with a 2-1 victory over Sweden, the 5th ranked team in the world. Sweden drew 1-1 against the No. 1 ranked USA just days earlier.
Captain Christine Sinclair bookended her day's performance with fantastic opportunities in front of the net during the early and dying moments of the game. Sinclair had Canada's first dangerous chance in the 30th minute when she launched a 12 yard shot on target, but it was saved by the Swedish goalkeeper, Hedvig Lindahl.
Set plays were key to scoring for both teams. Sweden was the first to benefit when striker Jessica Landström, from the German club team FFC Frankfurt, volleyed in a goal off a Lisa Dahlkvist corner kick on the brink of half-time.
The action picked up in the second half, first, with Sinclair playing a through ball to Kelly Parker. Parker, who has become a staple in the Canadian midfield since 2009 when she was brought back into the national team lineup following a six year hiatus, sent her shot from distance just wide.
Canada finally levelled the game with the efforts of its young talent. Kaylyn Kyle, 23, rang a shot off the post in the 75th minute and Chelsea Buckland, 21, was there to burry the rebound. Buckland had entered the match merely two minutes before the goal.
Midfielder Sofia Jakobsson, Sweden's 21 year-old rising star, later missed two opportunities to regain the lead.
When it seemed as though the game was destined to end in a draw, Sinclair was her heroic self once again. Kyle took a corner kick in the 91st minute. The 5'10" Emily Zurrer headed the ball down and Sinclair scored the game winning goal off her abdomen.
The closed-door friendly contested at Grand Canyon University marked the third meeting of 2011 between Canada and Sweden. Big Red owns the series with two wins and one loss.
Match highlights
Post game reaction
Just a couple months earlier, Canada's fate seemed riddled with uncertainty when then head coach Carolina Morace stepped down following a first-round exit from the 2011 Women's World Cup. The situation felt even worse given the high expectations that everyone had for the team since Morace took the reigns in February 2009. The Venice born coach guided the team to their highest world ranking in history (6th place), as well as four first place finishes, twice at the Cyprus Cup and once each at the Four Nations Tournament in Brazil and the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Mexico.
The team, currently ranked 9th in the world, is now moving ahead with new found optimism under head coach John Herdman, formerly of the New Zealand Women's National Team. The Englishman hopes to build upon the possession oriented style implemented by Morace, while bringing Canada back to its roots as a physical team. Since taking the job in September, Herdman has guided Canada to a record of four wins, three draws and one loss. His first tournament as head coach was a success, to say the least. October's PanAm Games in Guadalajara, Mexico saw Canada bring home gold, the first PanAm gold in women's soccer for the country.
This confidence and development is crucial for Canada as they will be vying for one of two berths into the 2012 London Olympics at the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifiers in Vancouver, January 19-29. (Sweden already qualified for the Olympics with a third place finish at this year's Women's World Cup). Tickets for Olympic Qualifiers at BC Place Stadium can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The Canadian Soccer Association is also looking for tournament volunteers. Now, what would be sweeter than watching Canada qualify on home soil for the Olympics?
While pursuing a career in non-profit event planning and fundraising, Lissa provides in depth coverage of the CanWNT for All White Kit and RedNation.
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