Archive for World Cup Women U17
U17 Women Hopefuls Open Camp
Canada opens first U17 camp under coach Bridge
The Canadian women’s U17 team has opened its camp in Laval, QC. Head Coach Ian Bridge has selected 25 players for the 9 day camp that will help begin Canada’s preparations for the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship next March.
“From what I have seen in my scouting for the past ten months, this is a talented group of young soccer players,” said coach Bridge.
“The group, however, certainly lacks international experience. Only two players in the squad, Diamond Simpson and injured goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo were on Canada ’s team at last year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008.”
This will be the first women’s U17 camp organized for this age group. In 2009 Coach Bridge has watched and scouted thousands of players across the country. In particular at the 2009 BMO National Championships Nutrilite All Stars in Laval, QC (July), the 2009 Canada Games Women’s Soccer Tournament in Summerside, PE (August), the 2009 BMO National Championships adidas U16 Cup in Winnipeg, MB (October), and through the National Training Centres (January – October).
“We must very quickly become a team both on and off the field,” said Bridge. This is the primary goal for the camp.
“On the field, we must learn our roles and responsibilities and perform them at a high level. I will demand high intensity training, high quality technique, high levels of mental and tactical concentration every minute we are on the training field.”
Canada, whose title sponsor is BMO Financial Group, is working towards the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010. The team will feature players born in 1993 or later. To qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, Canada must finish amongst the top-two teams at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in March 2010. Canada won bronze at the last CONCACAF tournament in 2008 before reaching the quarter-final stage at the inaugural FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008.
Canada Plays 0:0 With Denmark
Canada wrapped up the group phase at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008 with a 0:0 draw against Denmark . The scoreless match was played on Tuesday night at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton .
Karli Hedlund had Canada ’s best scoring opportunity in the 32nd minute, but her shot could not beat the crossbar. The play came off one of six Canadian corner kicks in the match.
“We were hoping to win – we always play to win,” said coach Bryan Rosenfeld. “I thought we were unlucky not to at least get a goal tonight. I’m proud of the way the girls carried out our game plan in what was a very tight game.”
Canada ’s third match was much less physical than its previous two. Canada was called for only five fouls while Denmark was called for six.
Canada ’s goalkeeper Geneviève Richard posted her second clean sheet in three games. Her biggest save came in the first half on Denmark ’s Linette Andreasen. Richard made five saves in the match.
At the other end of the pitch, Canada fired eight total shots, five of which needed to be stopped by Danish goalkeeper Lene Gissel. Canada dominated the second half, but could not score.
For the first time at New Zealand 2008, Bryan Rosenfeld made a change to his starting lineup. It was Edmonton ’s Danica Wu that replaced Amy Harrison in the starting XI. Rosenfeld’s three substitutions were Julia Ignacio for injured Tiffany Cameron in the 28th minute, Alyscha Mottershead for captain Bryanna McCarthy in the 60th minute, and Harrison for Caroline Szwed in the 84th minute.
After Cameron’s injury, Rachel Lamarre moved up front to forward while Ignacio played at midfield. Lamarre, who scored Canada ’s first goal of the tournament against New Zealand , was the most dangerous player in the second half.
The Tuesday match was the first-ever meeting between Canada and Denmark ’s U-17 women’s teams. At the U-20 level, Canada won the only previous match 3:2 at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Edmonton . At the senior level, Canada and Denmark have each won two of four encounters.
“It’s been a very tight group, a good group,” said coach Rosenfeld. “We’re delighted to be through.”
By finishing second in Group A, Canada had advanced to the quarter-final stage of the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. It will face Germany on Saturday 8 November at Wellington Stadium in Wellington . The match kicks off at 16.00 local time, which back home in Canada translates to Friday 7 November at 22.00 ET or 19.00 PT. The match will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca.
Canada Picks Up Point Against Colombia
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).
