Edmonton, Alberta - In front of a raucous, enthusiastic crowd of 37,194, Canada's Women's Under-19 National Team advanced to the final of the FIFA U19 Women's World Championship on the heels of a dramatic 4-3 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Commonwealth Stadium. It marks the first time a team from Canada has reached the final of a FIFA tournament.

In what must rank as one of the greatest sports moments in Canadian women's sport, Edmonton's Sasha Andrews scored the clinching penalty to put Canada in the final against the United States on Sunday, September 1. The US were 4-1 winners over Germany in the other semi-final. 

Andrews, Christine Sinclair, Kara Lang, Amy Vermeulen all scored from the spot to edge Brazil 4-3 while Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod made one crucial save. 

Earlier, in the first period of extra time, Sinclair was awarded a penalty when referee Anri Hanninen from Finland judged that she had been fouled in the box. Sinclair went to Brazilian goalkeeper Giselle's right, but the keeper guessed right and saved the shot. 

Clare Rustad scored Canada's opening goal in the first half injury time on a great diving header off a Melanie Booth corner kick which squeezed past the near post and the sprawling Giselle.

Brazil's Marta tied the game in the 69th minute when she hit a left-footed shot towards the top left hand corner of McLeod's goal. McLeod got her hands to the ball but it fell behind behind her to knot the score at 1-1.

The Canadians made a tactical change for the game by moving Candace Chapman into the midfield in an effort to counter Brazil's influential midfielder Marta. Robyn Gayle replaced Chapman at right back with Vermeulen making way for Chapman.

Seconds before the break, Marta showed how dangerous she can be when she slid a great through ball to Kelly who's shot was deflected by McLeod, who rushed off her line to challenge her. McLeod then preserved the lead in the 54th minute when she rushed out to block Cristiane's effort and managed to deflect the shot with her foot. The ball was then cleared by Rustad.

Canada came very close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Carmelina Moscato hit a deep cross off a free kick which Clare Rustad headed towards goal but Giselle got her hands up to block the shot.

Lang had an opportunity to score in the 23rd minute when she raced on to a high ball only to clatter into Giselle.

In the 34th minute, the Canadians suffered a major loss when Moscato injured her right ankle while attempting a shot on goal. As she tried to shoot, her right foot was blocked by a Brazilian defender and she was forced to come off. Vermeulen came on five minutes later.

After a relatively quiet opening 42 minutes. McLeod proved she had shaken off the effects of heat stroke in the quarter-final win over England by making a superb diving save off a fierce right-footed drive by Daniela. Two minutes later Sinclair almost netted her 11th goal of the season when she chipped Giselle only for the ball to be cleared by a Brazilian defender.

Canada will face the US in the Gold Medal game on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The Brazilians will play Germany in the Bronze Medal game at 11:00 a.m. 

Thursday, August 29, 2002 - FIFA U19 Women's World Championship
Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, Alberta
Attendance: 37,194
Canada \t\t1 (1) Canada wins 4-3 on penalties
Brazil\t\t1
Goals: Canada: Clare Rustad (45+); Brazil: Marta (69)
Cautions: Brazil: Daniela (26), Ariana (96); Canada: Michelle Rowe (92)
Referee: Anri Hanninen (FIN)
Assistant Referees: Katarzyna Nadolska (POL), Ameoli Aquerebourou (TOG)
Fourth Official: Cristina Ionescu (ROM)
Canada: Erin McLeod, Sasha Andrews, Carmelina Moscato (Amy Vermeulen, 39), Robyn Gayle, Clare Rustad, Candace Chapman, Christine Sinclair (Captain), Melanie Booth, Kara Lang , Katie Thorlakson (Michelle Rowe, 78), Brittany Timko. Head coach: Ian Bridge
Brazil: Giselle, Daiane, Daniela, Ariana, Renata Costa, Kelly, Marta, Cristiane, Tatiana, Renata Diniz, Michele. Head coach: Paulo Goncalves