Canada returns to residency camp in Vancouver

Canada’s women’s national team returns to its residency camp today in Vancouver, British Columbia. Under the watchful eye of head coach Even Pellerud, the team now knows the route it must take for the next four months, culminating in the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing. Last month in Juarez, México, Canada’s senior team qualified for the Summer Olympics for the first time in women’s program history.



“We are missing a few players due to an ongoing U-20 tournament in the United States, but the balance of the roster is returning to action on 1 May after a two-and-a-half week break since the successful Olympic qualification event in México,” says Pellerud, who expects his U-20 stars back by 4 May. The team should be ready to step on the field again.”



Canada’s first challenge will be an international friendly with the top-ranked United States on 10 May. The Canucks will leave for Washington, DC in one week’s time and then face the same opponents to whom they conceded the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. After a 1:1 draw (thanks to Melissa Tancredi’s goal-scoring heroics in the 116th minute), the Americans won the tournament with a 6-5 victory on penalties.



“In a few days, we will be selecting an 18-player roster to travel to Washington, DC for another tough game against our North American river, the United States,” says Pellerud. “This match marks the real start of our Olympic Games preparations. From now on and until early August, we will play a number of high-caliber international friendly and tournament games. We can build on our good winter program which was successful thanks to the schedule of international games and the group of healthy players.



“Healthy players means competitive training sessions, so we are glad to report that no new injuries occurred through the event in Juarez, México. As a matter of fact, we are also hoping and expecting to players like Amber Allen, Amy Apps and Tanya Dennis returning to action, thus providing additional numbers and quality to our roster.”



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners, is currently ranked 9th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. From January to April of this year, Canada has compiled an official record of five wins, four draws and two losses. Canada’s first three matches at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament are 6 August against Argentina, 9 August against hosts China, and 12 August against Sweden (Sverige).