Canada remains undefeated at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008 after a 1:1 draw with Colombia . The two sides scored within the first 10 minutes in the Saturday match at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland , New Zealand .
Canada went up 1-0 in the ninth minute after Nkem Ezurike scored her first goal of New Zealand 2008, already her fourth goal in Canadian colours at the international level. Tiffany Cameron advanced the play with two Colombian defenders in pursuit; she made the pass to Ezurike who was unmarked in the box. Ezurike, a 16-year old forward from Sackville , NS , made no mistake in putting the ball past Colombia ‘s Stefany Castano.
Unfortunately, Canada barely had a chance to celebrate. Just a minute after Ezurike’s marker, Colombia tied the match on an Ingrid Vidal goal. En route, Vidal took a long pass, beat a defender, and lobbed the ball past the Canadian goalkeeper.
Colombia continued to apply pressure throughout the first half, hitting the post three times, twice off free kicks. Canada ‘s goalkeeper Geneviève Richard kept her cool. At the other end of the pitch, Canada had a couple of chances, but could not score.
In the second half, neither team found a way to hit the target, although the rhythm heated up as the 90th minute drew near. In the end, Canada had another two scoring chances compared to one by Colombia .
In the 82nd minute, Richard made the play of the game by stopping Colombian striker Vanessa Aponte. Aponte created a golden opportunity with her seemingly perfect strike, but the extended Richard dove to make the perfect save.
Explained team captain Bryanna McCarthy , Colombia played more of a passing game compared to New Zealand ‘s direct play. Canada did well by employing one-on-one defence to contain its opponent.
Canadian coach Bryan Rosenfeld sent out the same starting XI as he did four days earlier on 28 October, a 1:0 win over New Zealand . Both sides fired five shots on net, although Colombia had 15 total shots compared to Canada ‘s 13 shots. Canada ‘s three substitutes were Danica Wu (for Ezurike in the 46th minute), Alyscha Mottershead (for Amy Harrison in the 67th minute), and Diamond Simpson (for Shelina Zadorsky in the 82nd minute).
The Saturday 1:1 draw was the first-ever meeting between the two U-17 women’s teams. The most famous Canada-Colombia match of all time, of course, was a Canadian 2:0 men’s victory over Colombia in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.
Canada has one match left in the group phase at New Zealand 2008. Canada plays Denmark on 4 November at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton , New Zealand (19.00 local kickoff). The match will be streamed live on www.CBCSports.ca (02.00 ET on 4 November or 23.00 PT on 3 November).
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