Canada draws China, Sweden and Argentina for Olympics

Canada has been drawn into a Group E at the official draw for the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China. Canada has been draw into a group with Argentina, Sweden (Sverige) and hosts China.



“I am quite pleased with a reasonable draw,” says coach Even Pellerud. “Of course, it will be a challenge to play the host (China), but I am happy we don’t play them in the first match.”



Canada will face Argentina on 6 August, China on 9 August and Sweden on 12 August. Canada’s first two games take place in Tianjin and its third game takes place in Beijing.



Canada is very familiar with hosts PR China, having faced its senior women’s side 17 times. Canada has a record of two wins, three draws and 12 losses. Canada’s famous victory over China, of course, was the 1:0 win on 2 October 2003 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, eliminating China and sending Canada to the semi-final. Canada finished fourth in that tournament. Canada most recently played to a 0:0 draw with China on 18 January 2008 at the Four Nations Tournament.



Canada has faced Argentina’s senior women’s side just once: at the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003. Canada won 3:0 over Argentina on 24 September 2003 in Columbus, OH. Canada will face Argentina this 14 June 2008 in Suwon, Republic of Korea at the Peace Queen Cup.



Canada has faced Sweden’s senior women’s side 11 times. After nine losses and a draw, Canada finally defeated Sweden for the first time on 18 July 2006 in Blaine, MN.



There are three four-team groups in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. The top-two teams in each group automatically advance to the quarter-final, as do two other third-place finishers. The quarter-finals take place on 15 August, the semi-finals take place 18 August, and the last two games (match for third place and the final) take place 21 August.



With a second-place finish at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, Canada qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 24 years and for the first time in its women’s program history. The 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament runs 6-23 August in China. Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners, ranked ninth in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings.