Canada’s women’s football team conquered the rain, the storms and the forecasts. As has often been the case, however, Canada couldn’t defeat its American rivals, falling 1:2 to the United States at the Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, China . Canada has been eliminated in the quarter-final stage of the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
“I don’t think we gave up,” said Karina LeBlanc after the match on CBC. “I feel like right now I still haven’t given up. I feel like I’d still go back out there because it’s a lifelong dream to be here.”
Natasha Kai scored the winning goal in the 101st minute after sneaking in behind the Canadian defence. Kai took a centering pass from Shannon Boxx before firing it into the net.
The Shanghai sky came down on the Canadians from the get-go. It wasn’t too long before the Americans came down on the Canadians, too: their offence opened the scoring in just the 12th minute of the game. Amy Rodriguez fired a pass that Heather O’Reilly headed on target, but was stopped by Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod. American Angela Hucles, though, was in the right place to fire home the rebound. Just like that, the United States was up 1-0.
Unfortunately, McLeod was injured on the play. She tried to stay in the game, but within a few minutes was replaced by her goalkeeping partner LeBlanc. Not to long thereafter, the rain was accompanied by lightning, forcing a stoppage in play for more than 90 minutes.
Less than 10 minutes after the match resumed, Canada ‘s Christine Sinclair fired the equaliser in what was just the 30th minute of the game. The goal was a real “cracker”, the 95th of her international career in 125 games. Clare Rustad tackled the ball away from the Americans and to the feet of Sinclair, who then fired her shot from 25 metres out. Goalkeeper Hope Solo had no chance on the shot.
The United States went right back onto the attack, but it was unable to beat the Canadian defence led by LeBlanc. LeBlanc was terrific, keeping the match even and forcing it into extra time. Canada was outshot 7-17 in the match.
After starting the match with the same starting XI as he had against Argentina and Sweden , coach Even Pellerud was forced to make two of his three substitutions because of injuries. LeBlanc for McLeod was the first and Jonelle Filigno for Brittany Timko was the second. Timko had originally come in for Melissa Tancredi in the 46th minute, but then was replaced by Filigno in the 92nd minute after colliding with Solo on an attack on goal.
Canada ‘s all-time record against the United States is now three wins, four draws and 37 losses. In four matches at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Canada posted one win, one draw and two losses.
While Canada was eliminated, the United States has advanced to the 18 August semi-final to face Japan . The winner will advance to the 21 August final to play either Brazil or Germany .
Attendance
26,129
Scoring Summary
Team … 1-2 … OT1-OT2 … F
USA … 1-0 … 1-0 … 2
CAN … 1-0 … 0-0 … 1
USA … Angela Hucles (Heather O’Reilly) … 12′
CAN … Christine Sinclair (Clare Rustad) … 30′
USA … Natasha Kai (Shannon Boxx) … 101 ‘
CAN Lineup
18-Erin McLeod (1-Karina LeBlanc, 19); 3-Emily Zurrer, 9-Candace Chapman, 10-Martina Franko; 4-Clare Rustad, 6-Sophie Schmidt, 7-Rhian Wilkinson, 8-Diana Matheson; 12-Christine Sinclair-Capt., 14-Melissa Tancredi (17-Brittany Timko, 46, 16-Jonelle Filigno, 92+), 15-Kara Lang
Subs: 5-Robin Gayle, 11-Randee Hermus, 13-Amy Walsh, 2-Jodi-Ann Robinson
Head Coach: Even Pellerud
USA Lineup
1-Hope Solo; 17-Lori Chalupny, 15-Kate Markgraf, 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone-Capt.; 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 9-Heather O’Reilly (6-Natasha Kai, 91), 5-Lindsay Tarpley (13-Tobin Heath, 82); 16-Angela Hucles, 8-Amy Rodriguez (12-Lauren Cheney, 109)
Subs: 18-Nicole Barnhart, 4-Rachel Buehler, 14-Stephanie Cox, 10-Aly Wagner
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage
Stats CAN-USA
Shots … 8-34
Shots on Goal … 7-17
Saves … 13-6
Corner Kicks … 1-7
Fouls … 18-15
Offside … 3-6
Misconducts
CAN … Martina Franko (caution) … 70′
CAN … Kara Lang (caution) … 84′
USA … Lauren Cheney (caution) … 111′
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