Canada draws interest in Yongchuan

Canada’s women’s national team continued its training today in the Yongchuan District of Chongqing, China PR. The team held a two-hour training session in the rain this morning with onlookers from the Maple Leaf International School watching from the sidelines. The Maple Leaf Inernational School, certified by British Columbia’s Ministry of Eductation, features Canadian teachers.



Canada is preparing for this Saturday’s 24 April international friendly against host China PR. It will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament when both teams played to a 1:1 draw in the group phase. The 24 April match will be played at the Olympic Sports Center in the Yongchuan District.



Coach Carolina Morace has been pleased with her group of players this week. She has a mix of veterans and youngsters, including four players making their debut at a national team camp. The team has had daily training sessions since Sunday, although a few players arrived a few days late because of club commitments from the weekend past or because of flight delays from the Iceland volcano eruption.



“We have many new players, so it is a good chance for our young players to get this experience,” said Canadian national head coach Carolina Morace.



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck, is also preparing for the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, which will take place later this year (the date and venue have yet to be announced). The eight-team North American championship will qualify two or three teams to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.