Edmonton, Alberta - Canada's Women's Under-19 National Team completed the round robin portion of the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship with a 2-0 win over Nigeria to finish atop Group A with three straight wins. The Canadians will now face England, who finished third in Group C, in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 25 at 1:00 p.m. MT at Commonwealth Stadium.
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Christine Sinclair scored her fourth goal of the tournament in the 25th minute, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Francisca Agbara low to her right from the penalty spot. Defender Sasha Andrews earned the penalty when she was tripped by Agbara.

Nigeria turned up the pressure in the second half and had a great chance to even the score in the 65th minute when Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine broke free and struck a right-footed shot that Erin McLeod handled cleanly. McLeod was far busier than she had been in the wins against Denmark and Japan and was full value in earning her second straight shutout.

“Erin made some big saves when we needed it,” said Canadian head coach Ian Bridge, who was a member of Canada's Olympic Team squad which reached the quarter-finals of the 1984 Olympic Games, before losing to Brazil on penalties. His team has now matched that accomplishment by reaching the quarters. “We wanted to keep our momentum going and were pleased to have won three straight, but there's still a lot of work to be done.”

With Nigeria pressing hard to claim an equalizer and try to stay alive in the tournament, Sinclair calmed some nerves and sealed the victory in the 69th minute when she headed home a Melanie Booth corner, beating Agbara to the near post. It was Sinclair's fifth goal of the tournament, giving her one more than American Kelly Wilson for the tournament lead.

In the earlier game, Japan shocked Denmark with a come from behind 2-1 victory to slide into second place and a quarter-final matchup in Edmonton with Germany. The quarter-finals will shape up like this:

Saturday, August 24\tBrazil vs Australia (Vancouver, 7:00 p.m.)
Sunday, August 25\tUSA vs Denmark (Victoria, 7:00 p.m.)
Sunday, August 25\tCanada vs England (Edmonton, 1:00 p.m.)
Sunday, August 25\tGermany vs Japan (Edmonton, 3:45 p.m.)

The Canadians have now won 12 straight games and by reaching the quarter-finals, have now gone the farthest in any FIFA tournament in Canadian soccer history. 

Thursday, August 22, 2002 - FIFA U19 Women's World Championship
Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, Alberta
Attendance: 15,803
Canada \t\t2 (1)
Nigeria\t\t0 (0)
Goals: Christine Sinclair (25-PK, 69)
Cautions: Nigeria: Francisco Agbara (23)
Referee: Krystyna Szokolai (AUS)
Assistant Referees: Airlie Keen (AUS), Tania Saldanha (BRA)
Fourth Official: Sueli Tortura (BRA)
Canada: Erin McLeod, Sasha Andrews, Carmelina Moscato (Myriam Gousse, 88), Amy Vermeulen, Clare Rustad, Candace Chapman, Christine Sinclair (Captain) (Caroline Vaillancourt, 74), Melanie Booth, Kara Lang, Michelle Rowe (Katie Thorlakson, 63), Brittany Timko. Head coach: Ian Bridge
Nigeria: Francisca Agbara, Adeola Aminu (Omon Ighodaro, 45+), Ayisat Yusuf, Akudo Sabi, Lilian Cole, Maranda Odigilia (Cynthia Uwak, 50), Titilayo Mekuleyi (Thessy Nkereuwem, 78), Ifeoma Obidegwe, Olushola Oyewusi, Victoria Nweze, Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine (Captain)

For more information please contact:
Morgan Quarry (780) 426-3636 ext.: 230 or media@soccercan.ca
Or visit our web site: www.canadasoccer.com

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