Canada to meet New Zealand in Cyprus Cup Final

Canada’s women’s national team will face New Zealand in the 2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup final this Wednesday 3 March. Canada is making its third consecutive appearance in the Cyprus Women’s Cup final, having won the 2008 tournament and finishing runner up in 2009. The Canada-New Zealand final kicks off at 17.00 local (10.00 ET / 07.00 ET) at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus.



Canadian fans can follow the match via www.twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN. Fans can join the conversation by using the women’s national team hashtag, #canWNT. Please visit www.CanadaSoccer.com for more information on this match.



“We are very much looking forward to the tournament final,” said Canadian head coach Carolina Morace. “This match represents an opportunity to observe our players under the pressure of playing in a final. I am looking for our players to bring the right mental approach to the match.”



Canada advanced to the final after finishing first in Group 2, picking up the maximum nine points along the way. Canada defeated Switzerland (2:1), England (1:0), and South Africa (2:1) to set up Wednesday’s final with New Zealand. The 1:0 win over England in particular was described as a “measuring stick” match according to the team as it demonstrated the team’s development under Morace since losing 1:3 to the English one year ago in the 2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup final. Forward Christina Julien leads Canada with three goals in the tournament, all three of which have

been match winners. Christine Sinclair and Kendra Flock have also tallied for the Canadians through three matches.



Group 1 winners New Zealand opened its Cyprus Women’s Cup with a morale boosting 1:0 victory over the 11th-ranked Italians. New Zealand built on its opening victory drawing 1:1 with Netherlands before closing out group play with an easy 3:0 win over Scotland. The Kiwis are lead by in-form forward Amber Hearn who leads all scorers at the Cyprus Women’s Cup with four goals.



“New Zealand is a very physical team that will press us in all zones of the field,” said Morace. “Their players play with great determination and passion; they will be a difficult opponent.”



Canada has drawn 1:1 in its last two matches against New Zealand including the opening match of last year’s Cyprus Women’s Cup. That match was significant as it marked Morace’s coaching debut with Canada after accepting the position one month earlier. Current Canadian scoring phenomenon Julien scored her first international goal for Canada in the match; Betsy Hasset replied for New Zealand.



Canada holds the advantage in the all-time head-to-head record with New Zealand recording four wins, three draws, and a loss in eight matches played.



In Wednesday’s other classification matches at the 2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup Switzerland will face Netherlands for third place, England will meet Italy for fifth place and South Africa will battle Scotland for seventh position.



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck, is taking part in the Cyprus Women’s Cup for the third consecutive year. Canada’s all-time record at the Cyprus Women’s Cup is seven wins, one draw and one loss.



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