Canada prepares for match against Norway

Listen to coach Even Pellerud



Canada’s training continued today in Hangzhou in anticipation of the FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007. The tournament opens tomorrow in Shanghai while Canada’s first match is Wednesday 12 September against Norway (Norge) at 20.00 local time.



“The players looked very sharp, very ready, energetic, at the same time very focused and calm,” said head coach Even Pellerud.



Canada has faced Norway eight times at the senior level, the most recent of which was 31 May 2005 in Sarpsborg, Norway. They faced each other at both the 1995 (0:7 loss) and 1999 (1:7 loss) FIFA Women’s World Cups. Canada has never defeated Norway, but they did earn a 2:2 draw in a friendly on 17 July 2002 in Etobicoke, ON. Norway is currently ranked fourth in the world. They were FIFA Women’s World Cup champions in 1995 under coach Pellerud.



“(We are) heading into the last couple of practices and the game on Wednesday,” said Pellerud. “I do expect a very tactical game from both teams. We know them very well, I don’t think they know as much about us as we know about them, for good reasons. I hope we can surprise them a little bit with some of our players and some of our tactics. Norway has played the same way for the last couple of years, I don’t think they can surprise us a whole lot.”



Both Christine Sinclair (14 March 2000) and Andrea Neil (17 July 2002) have scored against Norway. Sinclair scored her first-ever goal in 2000 against Norway (it was her second match). Sinclair will be looking for goal number 82 in what should be her 101st career game with the senior side on Wednesday. Neil, meanwhile, hopes to play in her 131st match, which will put her first all time amongst Canadians. Neil will also be the first Canadian player to compete in four FIFA Women’s World Cups.



Canada will not practice on Monday 10 September. Their 11 September practice (match day minus one) will be closed to media and spectators.