Four Nation Tournament 2010: U17s Lose Opener

Canada opens at 2010 Four Nation Tournament
Canada’s women’s U-17 team fell 1:2 to Mexico tonight in the opening match of the 2010 Four Nation Tournament in San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago. Mexico scored the winning goal on a penalty shot in the 85th minute.

“Today was our first full international and it was a good performance,” said head coach Bryan Rosenfeld. “Regardless of today’s result, the team is confident in meeting our objective to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.”

In the first half, the match started with neither side creating much offence, although Mexico fired the first shot and Canada won the first corner kick. Canada did create some runs, but was unable to penetrate for a good chance. It’s best chance came in the 29th minute following a corner kick. Captain Nicole Setterlund got a head on the ball, but the weak header was stopped by the Mexican goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, Haisha Cantave had a good run heading towards the Mexican net, but the Canadian pass went to Mexico who quickly countered with a run in the opposite direction. With left back Katherine Caverley injured and down, Mexico ’s Pina was alone to knock in the Mexican cross.

Following the goal, Canada responded well, but could not find an equaliser before the end of the half. As for Caverley, she missed almost four minutes before returning to action.

In the second half, Canada came out strong and was rewarded in the 52nd minute with a goal by Haisha Cantave. Cantave had a first chance three minutes earlier, but was stopped on her breakaway. On her second attempt, she made no mistake and evened the score. It was Nour Ghoneim and Kylie Davis that fed Cantave for the goal.

Canada wasn’t done, or so it hoped. In the 60th minute, Cantave fed Ghoneim who missed a golden opportunity with an open net. Five minutes later, Canada was buzzing again in the box, this time with shots from Diamond Simpson and Davis.

Fifteen minutes later in the 80th minute, Zakiya McIntosh had an even better chance after she broke in and beat the Mexican goalkeeper. McIntosh was close, but after beating the goalkeeper she knocked the ball out of play.

Five minutes later, Canada lost the match on a Mexican penalty kick after it brought a Mexican player down in the penalty area.

This was Canada’s first of three matches at the 2010 Four Nation Tournament in Trinidad & Tobago. Coach Bryan Rosenfeld’s starting XI featured goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, left back Katherine Caverley, centrebacks Allison Clarke and Nicole Setterlund, right back Ally Courtnall, left midfield Chantale Campbell, centre midfield Kylie Davis, right midfield Diamond Simpson, and forwards Nour Ghoneim, Abigail Raymer and Haisha Cantave.

Canada’s three second-half substitutions were Zakiya McIntosh for Raymer in the 59th minute, Charléne Achille for Ghoneim in the 65th minute, and Kinley McNicoll for Campbell in the 81st minute.

Canada will next face Jamaica on March 3 at the 2010 Four Nation Tournament. Canada then wraps up the tournament on March 5 against tournament host Trinidad & Tobago.