Canada Team Page
Squad
Coach: Even Pellerud
Roster
Goalkeepers: Erin McLeod, Karina LeBlanc, Taryn Swiatek
Defenders: Melanie Booth, Candace Chapman, Melissa Tancredi, Randee Hermus, Robyn Gayle, Tanya Dennis
Midfielders: Amy Walsh, Andrea Neil, Diana Matheson, Kara Lang, Kristina Kiss, Martina Franko, Rhian Wilkinson, Sophie Schmidt
Forwards: Brittany Timko, Christine Sinclair, Jodi-Ann Robinson, Katie Thorlakson
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 9th (second in CONCACAF)
Strengths: Team Canada has been living and training together since January, in a first for a Canadian soccer team. Reclusive millionaire Greg Kerfoot, owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps, funded the residency program, which has allowed the women to focus solely on soccer. Canada’s weapons are many, but above all is its pressure game. Pellerud’s training regimen for the team, focusing on fitness and strength, gives Canada the ability to play 90 minutes of full-out, resilient, ram-it-down-their-throats pressure. This means opposing players don’t have time to turn or take a touch or challenge for a ball without a Canadian on their back. This type of play forces turnovers and frustrates teams off their game plans. Scoring goals is a forte of the Canadian side with several players able to find the net, in particular Christine Sinclair (the country’s all-time goal scorer) and Kara Lang. Goalkeepers Karina LeBlanc and Erin McLeod will split the duties between the posts.
Weaknesses: Pellerud has acknowledged that one-on-one defending is a problem. In an exhibition series with China in May, defensive miscues cost Canada in two losses, while Brazil’s Marta made the Canadian backline look like pylons in the forgettable 7-0 loss at the Pan American Games in July. Canada has also been criticized for its one-dimensional tactics. The direct, physical style of play takes its toll on bodies as Canada’s injury problems at the Pan Am Games can attest. Pellerud recognized his side’s fatigue and gave them time off after the Pan Ams. This will be a healthy, rested squad for China. And, unlike the 2003 World Cup where some felt Canada overachieved, this time, there will be pressure on the squad to do well.
Player to watch: Christine Sinclair has taken the Canadian leadership reigns after longtime captain Charmaine Hooper, along with Sharolta Nonen and Christine Latham were suspended in a long, bitter battle with the CSA concerning residency programs, and this will be her biggest test to date. The 24-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., has 79 goals in 100 games for Canada and is a threat to score from anywhere. Her calm demeanor on the field is deceptive, for in a split second, the lanky striker has made a quick run and one-timed the ball in the net.
Prognosis: As Norway is the favourite to win the group, it’s up to Canada to claim that second spot (or upset the Scandinavians for first). Canada will have its feet full holding off a hungry Australian side that is looking to advance past the group stage for the first time in four tries.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Canada booked its ticket to China 2007 by placing second in the final competition of the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.
Qualification record: 2 matches played, 1 win, 0 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 5 Goals against: 2
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Christine Sinclair (2)
Qualifying results:
Knockout Stage – in Carson, Calif.
Semifinal
Nov. 22, 2006 – Canada 4, Jamaica 0
Final
Nov. 26, 2006 – Canada 1, U.S. 2 (extra time)
***Note: Canada and the U.S. both received byes to the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup’s semifinals because they had finished first and second in the 2002 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12 – Norway vs. Canada in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 15 – Canada vs. Ghana in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 17:00
Sept. 19 – Australia vs. Canada in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 17:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
Canada first qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1995 in Sweden. Grouped with eventual champions Norway as well as England and Nigeria in the first round, Canada didn't win a game in the tournament, but did manage a 3-3 tie with Nigeria.
Four years later, Canada was back at the tournament looking for its first victory. They opened on solid ground with a 1-1 draw with Japan, but it was all downhill from there. A 7-1 loss to Norway and a 4-1 defeat to Russia meant Canada would miss the second round yet again.
Canada enjoyed a major breakthrough at the 2003 tournament. Canada's silver-medal success at the Under-19 Women's World Cup in Edmonton fuelled a new group of national team players including strikers Christine Sinclair and Kara Lang and midfielder Brittany Timko. Combined with veterans like striker Charmaine Hooper, fullback Sharolta Nonen and goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, the Canadians not only advanced past the group stage, but also upset China in the quarter-finals 1-0.
Canada put in a valiant effort against Sweden in the semifinals, losing 2-1 on a late goal to the eventual World Cup runners-up. The Canucks finished fourth overall in the 16-team tournament after dropping a 3-1 decision to the United States in the bronze-medal match.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 3
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: never; bidding to host in 2011
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – First round
1999 – First round
2003 – Fourth overall
