Morace era to begin in Cyprus

Carolina Morace will make her Canadian coaching debut this 5 March at the 2009 Cyprus Cup. Morace will lead the women’s national team in the eight-team competition from 5-12 March. Canada will play New Zealand on 5 March, Netherlands on 7 March, Russia on 10 March, and (hopefully) an opponent from the opposite group in the final on 12 March.



Canada is the defending Cyprus Cup champion, having won the last event last March. While much of the Canadian lineup should be the same, it will be led by the newly-hired head coach Morace. Should Morace reach the 2009 final, she will be up against either France, England, South Africa or Scotland.



Canada’s first opponent will be New Zealand (2 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses in 2008) on 5 March. In their last encounter before the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Canada and New Zealand drew 1:1 at Queenstown Stadium in Singapore. Of note to this game, captain Christine Sinclair could set a national record by making her 123rd career start.



Canada then faces Netherlands (7-5-2 in 2008) on 7 March. Three years ago, Canada beat Netherlands twice in a pair of international friendly matches in Vancouver and Victoria.



Canada’s last group game is Russia (5-1-3 in 2008) on 10 March. The two sides last met a year ago at the 2008 Cyprus Cup (a 2:1 Canadian victory). After match three, the first-place team in the group advances to the Cyprus Cup final.



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, is currently training in California in its first camp under head coach Morace. The team breaks 18 February, but then will regroup in Rome in the days before the Cyprus Cup begins.