Canada Routs Mexico 8-0

Edmonton, Alberta – Canada’s Women’s World Cup Team earned an 8-0 win over Mexico in an international friendly at Commonwealth Stadium in front of a crowd of a record crowd of 29,593. Christine Latham scored two goals as the Canadians earned their ninth win in as many games against Mexico. It was also Canada’s eighth game without a loss (seven wins, one draw).



Canada got off to a great start when Kara Lang opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Christine Latham intercepted a poor back pass with a slide tackle and the ball rolled to Lang who beat the onrushing Mexican goalkeeper Jennifer Molina with a low shot. It was Lang’s 16th goal in only 28 games.



Canadian head coach Even Pellerud threw a curveball at the Mexicans by starting captain Charmaine Hooper in the middle of a back four. It was the first time Hooper had played in that position outdoors – she played defence indoors during a tour of World All-Stars against the US national team in 1999. She went back to playing striker in the second half with Lang giving way to Linda Consolante who moved into the back four.



“This was a very satisfying performance,” said Pellerud. “We did things today that I have not seen us do before, with some clever passes, soft touches and great movement. We have improved a great deal since the Gold Cup (November 2002) and I was pleased with many parts of our game.”



Pellerud was also impressed with the crowd which was a Canadian record for a women’s friendly.



“I have never seen a crowd of 30,000 for a women’s friendly anywhere in the World. Our team loves playing here (Edmonton),” said Pellerud.



Christine Sinclair (who scored 10 goals in six games at Commonwealth Stadium during the FIFA Under-19 World Championships last summer) came close to doubling the score in the 12th minute when she headed a Kristina Kiss cross past the far post.



Andrea Neil scored a cracking goal in the 29th minute. After a great layoff from Sinclair, Neil rode a challenge at the top of the 18 yard box to hammer the ball into the top right hand corner.



Latham converted a great passing sequence in the 41st minute to make it 3-0, blasting home a Lang cross after a nice pass on the volley from Sinclair.



Sinclair showed her sniping abilities in the 49th minute when she pounced on a loose ball and beat Molina with a low right-footed shot. Latham created the loose ball with another strong challenge at the top of the box.



Latham capped off a fine afternoon with her second goal in the 54th minute, hammering home a volley off the crossbar after some sloppy Mexican defending.



Hooper continued the rout, redirecting a low cross from Sinclair past the hapless Molina.



Mexico contributed to their misery when Patricia Pena knocked a Sinclair into her own net in the 67th minute.



Hometown girl Sasha Andrews scored Canada’s eighth goal volleying home after Hooper’s effort was cleared off the line in the 75th minute.



Karina LeBlanc and Erin McLeod shared the shutout with McLeod replacing LeBlanc in the 75th minute.



The two teams will face each other again on Thursday, September 4 at Swangard Stadium in Vancouver at 7:00 p.m.



August 31, 2003 – International Friendly

Commonwealth Stadium – Edmonton, Alberta

Attendance: 29,593

Canada 8 (3)

Mexico 0 (0)

Referee: Jill Proctor

Assistant Referees: Kim Chalmers, Charlene Douglas

Fourth Official: Sonia Denoncourt

Goals: Canada – Kara Lang (4), Andrea Neil (29), Christine Latham (41, 54), Christine Sinclair (50), Charmaine Hooper (60), Patricia Pena (67, OG), Sasha Andrews (75)

Canada: Karina LeBlanc (Erin McLeod, 75), Brittany Timko (Clare Rustad, 77), Charmaine Hooper (C), Randee Hermus (Sasha Andrews, 57), Tanya Dennis, Andrea Neil (Isabelle Morneau, 70), Kristina Kiss, Diana Matheson, Kara Lang (Linda Consolante, 46), Christine Sinclair, Christine Latham (Rhian Wilkinson, 70). Head coach: Even Pellerud

Mexico: Jennifer Molina, Elizabeth Gomez (Monica Rubio, 41), Jennifer Ruiz, Maria Castillo, Monica Gonzalez, Fatima Moran, Teresa Worbis, Patricia Pena, Mayra Loera, Luz Saucedo, Andrea Moreno (Devinder Aguilar, 68). Head coach: Leonardo Quellar