Canada's women's national team won 2:1 over South Africa today in the third and final group match at the 2010 Cyprus Women's Cup. Noko Matlou scored first for South Africa, but then Kendra Flock and Christina Julien reversed the lead with goals in the second half. Substitute Christine Sinclair set up both goals as Canada won its fourth-straight match of the 2010 season.

With first place in the group already secured, Canada made several changes to its starting XI. Coach Morace featured Erin McLeod in goal, Robyn Gayle at right back, Myriam Bouchard and Cindy Walsh at centre backs, Marie-Eve Nault at left back, Jodi-Ann Robinson at right midfield, Laura Chénard and Sari Raber at centre midfield, Caley Miskimmin at left midfield, and Kendra Flock and Christina Julien at forward. McLeod wore the captain's armband. Bouchard, Chénard and Miksimmin were all making their national debuts; Scott and Flock were cracking the starting XI for the first time.

Canada started quickly and nearly had the ball in the back of the net within the first minute. Chénard rose highest to meet an early Canadian corner kick, but her headed effort was well caught by the South African goalkeeper.

In the eighth minute Robinson broke down the right wing and centered for an open Flock in the South African box. Flock did well to receive the pass, but her low effort bounced wide of the goal.

In the 20th minute, it was South Africa's turn as the team attacked with a sweeping move that started deep in its own half. A series of short passes brought South Africa to the top of Canada's box, but forward Matlou could not supply the finish as her first-time shot flew over the bar.

Five minutes later Canadian goalkeeper McLeod was called into action. South Africa caught the Canadian defence napping with a quickly-taken free kick. Midfielder Hlengiwe Modiko hit a hard rising drive that McLeod dove to catch at full stretch.

Canada made two planned changes in the 32nd minute as Morace rotated her regular starters to give them rest ahead of the Cyprus Women's Cup final in two days time. Robinson and Nault were replaced by Julien and Wilkinson.

Neither team was able to create any further clear chances until a flurry of activity late in the first half.

First, Wilkinson hit Miskimmin in full stride with an excellent diagonal ball across the field. Miskimmin took two touches down the right side and hit an inch-perfect cross to an onrushing Julien. The Canadian forward hit the waist-high volley with her right foot, but the bullet shot blazed a foot over the bar.

Just two minutes later, South Africa took the lead in added time. Forward Maltou collected a loose ball at the top of the Canadian box and rode several tackles before toe poking her shot beyond a charging McLeod. South Africa had the 1-0 lead.

Before the start of the second half, Canada made a pair of substitutions and changed its formation. Veterans Sinclair and Diana Matheson replaced Miskimmin and Gayle. Canada's formation changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 with Flock, Sinclair, and Julien at the top of the Canadian attack.

Canada immediately went on the attack after the second half restart as Sinclair wasted little time in making her mark on the match. Fellow substitute Julien played a perfectly, weighted through ball into Sinclair’s path inside the South African penalty area. Sinclair, however, could only hit the side of the goal from 12 yards out.

Canada’s substitutions and change in formation was proving too much for South Africa. Finally in the 54th minute, Canada equalised. The impressive Sinclair found Flock behind the South African defence and Flock made no mistake rolling the ball into the goal with a defender hanging on her back. It was Flock’s first international goal in just her second appearance for Canada.

Two minutes later, Canada could have had a second if not for the acrobatics of the South African goalkeeper. Sinclair again worked space before unleashing a rocket of a shot that was palmed away by the goalkeeper. The ensuing corner kick found Julien at the back post, but her driven shot was blocked by the defenders.

Canadian centre back Bouchard was shown a yellow card in the 63rd minute after being forced to take down Maltou on a rare South African attack in the second half. The resulting free kick caused no danger.

Morace made her last change of the afternoon as Chénard came out of the match to be replaced by Moscato in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later, Canada took that decisive 2-1 lead with a goal from Julien.

Matheson moved the ball through the South African back line to Sinclair who gathered the ball, looked up, and picked out an unmarked Julien at the far post. Julien duly dispatched the ball into the empty goal. For Julien, it was her third straight match with a goal at the Cyprus Women's Cup.

All three of Canada’s forwards (Sinclair, Julien, and Flock) had further opportunities to score. Canada continued to attack the South African goal, but no more goals would be needed on this day. South Africa did try to mount a late attack, but to no threat to McLeod.

Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck, has won three-straight games at the 2010 Cyprus Women's Cup. Canada has won all four of its international games in 2010.