Canada Finishes France Tournament With a 3-2 Loss

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Women’s World Cup Team today lost their final match of the Tournoi international de France, dropping a 3-2 decision against Japan. Canada’s loss allowed France to win the tournament by defeating Australia 1-0 and finishing with two wins and one loss. The Canadians wrapped up the competition with a 1-1-1 record, tying for second place with Japan.



Canada came under pressure due to an early Japanese goal by Sakai in the fifth minute. Canada fought hard to come back but did not reach the same level of intensity reached during their 2-0 win against France on Saturday. Despite offensive pressure and goal opportunities from the Canadian side, Japan managed to salvage the win.



Adding her sixth goal in seven games with the World Cup squad was Kara Lang in the 62nd minute. After entering the game in the 76th minute, Amber Allen narrowed the Japanese two-goal lead by scoring Canada’s second goal in the 88th minute.



“The program took its toll on the young team and the lack of guidance in midfield was a problem as Andrea Neil had to replace Breanna Boyd’s position in the defensive line as a result of the red card she received in a previous game,” said head coach Even Pellerud. “We had a lot of pressure and opportunities to score but we couldn’t manage the tying goal.”



Making her World Cup Team debut was Brittany Timko from the Under-19 squad. Timko started the game but was replaced by Cindy Tye in the 60th minute.



April 9, 2002 – Limoges, France

Parc des Sports de Beaublanc

Tournoi international de France

Canada t2 (0)

Japant3 (1)

Goal Scorers: Canada – 15. Kara Lang (62), 14. Amber Allen (88); Japan – 5. Sakai (5), 10. Homare Sawa (63, 67)

Cautions: Canada – 5. Andre Neil (64); Japan – 1. Nozomi Yamago (51)tt

Canada: 22. Karina LeBlanc (GK), 6. Sharolta Nonen, 16. Carmelina Moscato (14. Amber Allen, 76), 5. Andrea Neil, 7. Isabelle Morneau, 11. Randee Hermus, 8. Clare Rustad, 12. Isabelle Harvey, 17. Brittany Timko (4. Cindy Tye, 60),15. Kara Lang, 10. Charmaine Hooper. Coach: Even Pellerud

Japan: 1. Nozomi Yamago, 3. Hirom Isozaki, 6. Tomomi Fujimura, 13. Yoshie Kasajima, 4. Yami Obe, 14. Miyaki Yanagida (15. Mai Nakachi, 87), 16. Yasuyo Yamagishi, 7. Yayoi Korayrshi, 17. Harue Sato, 10. Homare Sawa, 5. Sakai