Edmonton, Alberta - Canada's Women's Under-19 National Team advanced to a semi-final showdown with Brazil in the FIFA U19 Women's World Championship thanks to five goals by captain Christine Sinclair, who helped them to a 6-2 victory over England in the quarter-finals in front of more than 23,000 fans at Commonwealth Stadium.

Christine Sinclair was again the offensive star for Canada as she was a constant threat to score. Her five goals give her a tournament-leading 10 goals in only four games. Katie Thorlakson rounded out the Canadian scoring with her first of the tournament.

"It was an excellent game for us," said Sinclair. "It was one of those games where almost every chance I had went into the net. It was just one of those days and it feels great to be going into the semis."

The Canadians got off to the start they were looking for when Sinclair headed home a Carmelina Moscato corner kick in the 5th minute, beating England goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne who had come for the ball.

England's best chances came midway through the first half. Katy Ward took a ball near the top of the 18-yard box and hit a volley, which Erin McLeod was able to deflect away from goal. Three minutes later Ward was sent in alone by Alex Scott forcing McLeod to come out and make another good save.

In the 36th minute, the English broke in numbers and looked to spring Ellen Maggs but Carmelina Moscato intercepted the pass and then delivered a superb ball to a streaking Sinclair who got in behind the English defence. Sinclair raced into the box and calmly beat Wayne to the far post. Sinclair completed her hat trick when she got on the end of a Moscato header in the 52nd minute and drove the ball past Wayne. Moscato won her header off an Amy Vermeulen free kick.

Katie Thorlakson made it 3-0 just before halftime. Kara Lang broke free down the right side and hit a beautiful pass into the box. Brittany Timko and Sinclair each got a touch before Thorlakson picked up the loose ball and slid a left-footed shot past Wayne.

Maggs ruined McLeod's bid for a third straight shutout in the 65th minute when she accelerated past the Canadian defence and thundered a right-footed shot into the top right hand corner, which McLeod only managed to deflect. 

After Emily Westwood pulled the English to within two goals, Sinclair netted her fourth and fifth goals in extra time to assure Canada of their 13th consecutive win.

The semi-final, which will be shown live on Rogers Sportsnet at 8:00 p.m. MT, will pit Canada against Brazil for the first time since August 11, 2002 when the Canadians beat them 2-0 in Calgary in their final preparation game for the tournament. The second semi-final will feature the winner of Japan-Germany vs the winner of USA-Denmark.

In Saturday's quarter-final played in Vancouver, Brazil defeated Australia 4-3 with a golden goal by Daniela.

Sunday, August 25, 2002 - FIFA U19 Women's World Championship
Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, Alberta
Attendance: 23,000
Canada \t\t6 (3)
England\t\t2 (0)
Goals: Christine Sinclair (5, 36, 52, 91, 93), Katie Thorlakson (45); England: Ellen Maggs (65), Emily Westwood (80)
Cautions: England (Kelly McDougall, 38)
Referee: Floarea Ionescu (ROM)
Assistant Referees: Airlie Keen (AUS), Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)
Fourth Official:Dianne Ferreira-James (GUY)
Canada: Erin McLeod, Sasha Andrews, Carmelina Moscato, Amy Vermeulen (Robyn Gayle, 70), Clare Rustad, Candace Chapman, Christine Sinclair (Captain), Melanie Booth, Kara Lang (Caroline Vaillancourt, ), Katie Thorlakson, Brittany Timko. Head coach: Ian Bridge
England: Toni-Anne Wayne, Leanne Champ, Corinne Yorston (Shelly Cox, 93), Fara Williams, Jessica Wright, Laura Bassett, Alex Scott (Kim Holden, 74), Kelly McDougall, Katy Ward, Ellen Maggs, Emily Westwood. Head coach: Mo Marley