Canada opens 2010 Cyprus Cup with victory

For a full match report, please visit the following fixture link.



Canada’s women’s national team opened the 2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup by collecting all three points in a 2:1 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday. While Canada dominated for much of the match, the Swiss took a first half lead and kept Canada close throughout. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, fresh off her 100th international goal, tied the match for Canada from the penalty mark, before Christina Julien scored the winning goal early in the second half. The match was played at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaka, Cyprus.



With the victory, Canada leads Group 2 by virtue of greater goals scored (2) after match day one. Defending champion England are second after their 1:0 victory over South Africa in the other match from Group 2. South Africa is in third position while Switzerland occupy fourth place. Canada will now prepare to face defending champions England in two days time on Friday 26 February at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, before completing the group stage against South Africa on 1 March at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaka. The final day of competition is 3 March in both Larnaka and Nicosia.



In Group 1 action, Holland defeated Scotland 4:1 and New Zealand beat Italy 1:0.



For Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, the Cyprus Women’s Cup is the first step in what is an important year for the team as it builds towards the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup. The top two teams from the confederation final will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 while the third-place team will play off against the fifth-place team from Europe for an extra qualification spot for Germany 2011.



For more information on Cyprus, please visit www.visitcyprus.com.