Canada announces roster for Australia

Canada’s senior women’s team is heading back down under for its next international friendly match. Coach Even Pellerud announced his 18-player roster today before leaving Vancouver for Sydney, Australia. The Canucks will play the Matildas this 23 May 2008 at 17.15 local time (12.15 PT / 3.15 ET).



This will be Canada’s first contest with the Australians since a 2:2 draw at last September’s FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007, a draw that in essence eliminated Canada from the competition. To date, Canada has a lifetime record of five wins, three draws and six losses against Australia’s senior team.



In 2008, Canada has a record of five wins, four draws and three losses in all senior “A” competition.



Captain Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, BC is the most experienced player on the Canadian side with 114 caps (86 goals) to her credit. Twenty-year old defender Emily Zurrer of Crofton, BC is the least experienced player with just two caps, the last of which was 30 July 2004. Midfielder Jonelle Filigno is the youngest player at just 17 years of age.



Canada’s senior women’s national team, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting partner is Teck Cominco, is currently ranked 9th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Canada recently qualified for the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, thus becoming the first Canadian team in 24 years and the first women’s team in Association history to qualify for the Olympics.



CANADA

Melanie Booth | D/M | Burlington, ON

Candace Chapman | M | Ajax, ON

Jonelle Filigno | F | Mississauga, ON

Martina Franko | D | Squamish, BC

Robyn Gayle | D | Mississauga, ON

Kristina Kiss | D/M | Ottawa, ON

Kara Lang | F | Oakville, ON

Karina LeBlanc | G | Maple Ridge, BC

Erin McLeod | G | Calgary, AB

Jodi-Ann Robinson | F | Richmond, BC

Clare Rustad | D/M | North Vancouver, BC

Sophie Schmidt | M | Abbotsford, BC

Christine Sinclair | F | Burnaby, BC

Melissa Tancredi | F | Ancaster, ON

Brittany Timko | D/M | Coquitlam, BC

Amy Vermeulen | F | Saskatoon, SK

Rhian Wilkinson | F | Baie d’Urfé, QC

Emily Zurrer | F/D | Crofton, BC



Head Coach / Entraîneur-chef : Even Pellerud

Assistant Coach / Entraîneur adjoint : Ian Bridge

Goalkeeper coach / Entraîneur des gardiens : Paul Rogers

Team Manager / Gérant d’équipe : Les Meszaros

Equipment Manager / Gérant d’équipement : Maeve Glass

Athletic Therapist / Thérapeute athlétique : Becky Swan

Massage Therapist / Massothérapeute : Nicole Stephen

Physiotherapist / Physiothérapeute : Garret Kusch