Canada granted 2012 Olympic Qualifiers

As part of the most recent CONCACAF Executive Committee meetings in New York, the Canadian Soccer Association has been granted the right to host the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. The tournament, which is expected to feature eight teams, will serve as the qualification route for the 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in London, England.



“Hosting this tournament in Canada will give our women’s team the best opportunity to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 2012,” said Canadian national head coach Carolina Morace.



Canada participated in the most recent Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Beijing, China, reaching the quarter-final stage of the tournament before losing in extra time to eventual champion USA. Canada qualified for the Olympics after finishing second at the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Juarez, Mexico. Canada actually played to a 1:1 draw with USA in the confederation final, but were then awarded second place after falling on kicks from the penalty mark.



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, has one of the best women’s programs in the world. Currently ranked 10th in the world, the team has posted five wins and one loss in six matches this season, including a victory in the Cyprus Women’s Cup final.