Women's National Team

1 - 3

England

Nicosia, Cyprus | GSP Stadium

Attendance: 50

Referee: Alexis Vaughan

45'

Goal: Fara Williams scores for Opponent
40'

Goal: Kelly Smith scores for Opponent
32'

Goal: Lianne Sanderson scores for Opponent
Goal: Christine Sinclair scores for CANADA Christine Sinclair

14'

Timeline

Women's National Team

KO

KO
14 ' | Christine Sinclair
32 ' |
40 ' |
45 ' |
FT

FT

England

Match Report

A bruised and battered Canadian squad ran out of gas, losing 1:3 to England in the Cyprus Women’s Cup final. Canada, playing their first series of matches under new coach Carolina Morace, had shown improvement in their play with each game at the Cyrpus Cup before succumbing to a well organized and disciplined England squad. Christine Sinclair gave Canada a 14th minute lead, scoring the 99th goal of her career, before England scored three goals in a 15-minute period before the end of the first half, a deficit from which Canada was unable to recover.

In a lively opening period in which both teams committed to attacking soccer, it was England who came closest to opening the scoring. England’s Kelly Smith was able to find space at the Canadian back post on an England corner to snatch at a half volley. Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc was well positioned to make the easy safe.

Canada registered its first shot of the match after Chelsea Stewart was able to work some room down the England left and deliver an excellent cross to the head of Melissa Tancredi, whose goal bound header was smothered by English keeper Rachel Brown.

Canada’s Christine Sinclair opened the scoring with her 99th career goal in the 14th minute of the match. Sinclair’s strike partner Tancredi sent a searching ball from inside Canada’s half which bounced kindly for Sinclair to run onto and gently lob over Brown who had come racing off her line. It was an excellent finish worthy of a player of Sinclair's caliber.

Canada’s hard work on the training pitch, which resulted in a set piece goal against Russia, nearly came good again as Canada worked a corner kick routine to good effect. The corner was passed short, drawing the England defenders in, and then quickly distributed out to fullback Brittany Timko who drove in a tantalizing cross which was only just cleared by the English.

As the first half wore on England began to see more of the ball and in the 32nd minute they made their period of possession count. A perfectly weighted cross over the Canadian defense was nodded home by England’s Lianne Sanderson.

Eight minutes later England had the lead after the dangerous Kelly Smith was given time and space to set herself at the top of the Canadian box and unleash a low drive past Leblanc.

Just 5 minutes later Canada found themselves down by two. England captain Carla Faye blasted an unstoppable a free kick through the Canadian wall and into the roof of the net from 25 yards out. It would prove to be the last kick of the first half as the referee blew for halftime directly following the restart.

Coach Morace made two changes to start the second half. Sasha Andrews came on for the Franko and Marie-Eve Nault replaced Stewart.

Sinclair missed an excellent opportunity to close the deficit in the 64th after Tancredi made a surging run through the England defense and played a square ball for Sinclair to run on to, unfortunately her first time blast flew over the bar from 16 yards out.

Canada was the better team in the second half as Diana Matheson began to assert herself in the centre midfield. Canada’s urgency levels rose but it was too little too late for the plucky Canadians who could only watch on as England raised the Cyprus Women’s Cup.

Canada will leave the tournament feeling positive about the steps they’ve taken as a group. The Canadian performances improved consistently and players and staff alike became more comfortable with a new playing style as well as with each other.