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News August 06, 2016

Canada qualifies for Quarterfinals after 3:1 win at Rio 2016

Canada 3:1 Zimbabwe

Canada won 3:1 over Zimbabwe in their second group match at the Rio 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. The 6 August victory gave Canada six perfect points after two matches. Janine Beckie scored twice while captain Christine Sinclair scored from the penalty spot.

MATCH CENTRE – CANADA 3:1 ZIMBABWE

“Job done for Canada with the result,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach. “It was crucial to come out of the first two games with six points. It really puts us in the driver’s seat for the third game when it comes to our resting strategies.”

Canada’s last group match is Tuesday 9 August against Germany, with a 16.00 local kick off at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia. The group finale will kick off at the same time as the Australia-Zimbabwe match at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador. The Canada-Germany match will be broadcast live on Sportsnet at 15.00 ET / 12.00 PT.

“The win puts us in a good situation to have a good go at Germany because there is some history to be made there. We can also give rest where it is needed.”

On the first goal against Zimbabwe, Sinclair made a lovely feint and turn before centering a pass to the 21-year old Beckie whose first shot was stopped by Chido Dzingirai. There was no chance for the goalkeeper on the rebound, however, as Beckie burried it for a Canada 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.

After Diana Matheson hit the post in the 15th minute, she was then fouled by Dzingirai in the 18th minute. Sinclair made no mistake from the spot as she gave Canada a 2-0 lead in the 19th minute. Just over a quarter of an hour later, Beckie made it 3-0 after converting a Josée Bélanger cross from the right.

After two matches, all 18 Canadian players have seen action, including Saturday debuts by Bélanger, Sabrina D’Angelo, Nichelle Prince, and Deanne Rose.

Beckie is Canada’s 2016 offensive leader with nine goals and two assists in 13 matches. Sinclair, meanwhile, now has six goals and four assists in 15 matches this year, with 164 career international goals in 247 matches.

This marks Canada’s third consecutive participation at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Four years ago at London 2012, Canada won a historic bronze medal, the nation’s first in a summer team sport since 1936. With their second win at Rio 2016, Canada’s all-time record improved to six wins, two draws, and four losses in 12 matches.