Canada To Face China in Saskatoon

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association and the Saskatchewan Soccer Association today announced a two-game series will be played between the Women’s World Cup squads of Canada and China on Wednesday, September 19 and Friday, September 21 at the Gordie Howe Bowl in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Kick-off is 7:00 p.m. local time for both games.



CSA President Jim Fleming and SSA President Jim Nicholson made the announcement at a media conference in Saskatoon today. “It is with great enthusiasm that we are making this announcement,” said Fleming. “These are two of the top teams in women’s soccer today and I’m delighted the people of Saskatoon will get the opportunity to see such a high level of international soccer.”



The games will mark the first international appearance by a Canadian national team in Saskatchewan and will be the first in Canada for the women’s team since a 2-2 draw with the United States on June 30 in Toronto. Canada’s last game was a 1-0 loss against the Americans on July 3 in Blaine, Minnesota. Head Coach Even Pellerud is expected to bring his full team for the series.



China, who will host the Women’s World Cup in 2003, has long been a superpower in women’s soccer. In 1999 they lost the World Cup Final to the United States on penalties and boasted the tournament’s joint top scorer in Sun Wen. Canada has one win in 11 attempts against the Chinese, with their lone victory coming on June 8, 2000 at the Pacific Cup in Australia when Canada prevailed on penalties following a 2-2 draw.



Ticket information (prices, release dates and locations) for the international series will be announced shortly.



The second game of the series will be broadcast on Sportsnet.