Canada's women's football team conquered the rain, the storms and the forecasts. As has often been the case, however, Canada couldn't defeat its American rivals, falling 1:2 to the United States at the Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, China. Canada has been eliminated in the quarter-final stage of the 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

Natasha Kai scored the winning goal in the 101st minute after sneaking in behind the Canadian defence. Kai took a centering pass from Shannon Boxx before firing it into the net.

The Shanghai sky came down on the Canadians from the get-go. It wasn't too long before the Americans came down on the Canadians, too: their offence opened the scoring in just the 12th minute of the game. Amy Rodriguez fired a pass that Heather O'Reilly headed on target, but was stopped by Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod. American Angela Hucles, though, was in the right place to fire home the rebound. Just like that, the United States was up 1-0.

Unfortunately, McLeod was injured on the play. She tried to stay in the game, but within a few minutes was replaced by her goalkeeping partner LeBlanc. Not to long thereafter, the rain was accompanied by lightning, forcing a stoppage in play for more than 90 minutes.

Less than 10 minutes after the match resumed, Canada's Christine Sinclair fired the equaliser in what was just the 30th minute of the game. The goal was a real "cracker", the 95th of her international career in 125 games. Clare Rustad tackled the ball away from the Americans and to the feet of Sinclair, who then fired her shot from 25 metres out. Goalkeeper Hope Solo had no chance on the shot.

The United States went right back onto the attack, but it was unable to beat the Canadian defence led by LeBlanc. LeBlanc was terrific, keeping the match even and forcing it into extra time. Canada was outshot 7-17 in the match.

After starting the match with the same starting XI as he had against Argentina and Sweden, coach Even Pellerud was forced to make two of his three substitutions because of injuries. LeBlanc for McLeod was the first and Jonelle Filigno for Brittany Timko was the second. Timko had originally come in for Melissa Tancredi in the 46th minute, but then was replaced by Filigno in the 92nd minute after colliding with Solo on an attack on goal.

Canada's all-time record against the United States is now three wins, four draws and 37 losses. In four matches at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, Canada posted one win, one draw and two losses.

While Canada was eliminated, the United States has advanced to the 18 August semi-final to face Japan. The winner will advance to the 21 August final to play either Brazil or Germany.

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For more information on this match, please visit the following fixture link.

Canada’s Olympic dream has come to an end after a 1:2 loss to the United States at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada held the world’s number-one ranked Americans to an even score for much of the 15 August quarter-final, but the United States finally went up for good with the winner in extra time.

Canada’s women’s football team was participating in its first Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada was successful in reaching the quarter-final stage, but could not topple the reigning Olympic champions. Heading into this tournament, the United States is the only team with a top-three finish in all eight senior women’s FIFA tournaments (five FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments).

The 15 August match not only marks the end of Canada’s first Olympic run, but also the end of coach Even Pellerud’s coaching reign in Canada. Since coming to Canada in late 1999, Pellerud has helped Canada qualify for two FIFA Women’s World Cups and one Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The United States will now face Japan in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament semi-final on 18 August. Japan won 2:0 over hosts China on goals by Homare Sawa and Yuki Nagasato. The other semi-final match features Brazil and Germany. Brazil won 2:1 over Norway (goals by Daniela and Marta) while Germany won 2:0 over Sweden (goals by Kerstin Garefrenkes and Simone Laudehr).

Both semi-final winners will then advance to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final on 21 August (21.00 local / 09.00 ET / 06.00 PT).