Sinclair ties national records in win over New Zealand

Christine Sinclair tied a pair of national records in a 2:0 Saturday victory over New Zealand in Châtel-Saint-Denis, Switzerland. Sinclair and Diana Matheson were the goal scorers in the 14 July win over New Zealand in the opening match at the Match world Women’s Cup 2012.

“It was a really strong performance,” said Canadian head coach John Herdman. “They took a couple of steps today. They were really resolute to sticking to certain things to which they said they would.”

Canada will next take on Brazil in the team’s second and final match of the 2012 Match World Women’s Cup on Tuesday 17 July. The winner – be it after 90 minutes or on kicks from the penalty mark – will lift the tournament trophy. The match will be broadcast live in Canada (13.00 ET / 10.00 PT) on EuroWorld Sport (Rogers ch. 425 / MTS ch. 165).

Like Canada, Brazil won its opening match on 14 July to gain three points on the opening day. Brazil won 2:1 over Colombia. Since a winner must be decided in every match, the Canada-Brazil will serve as the tournament final.

As for Canadian captain Sinclair, her 16th goal in 2012 ties the single-season record she set in 2007. She also tied another national record by scoring in 10 different matches this calendar year, a milestone she originally established as a teenaged rookie in 2000. Overall, Sinclair has scored 136 goals in 183 matches over 13 international seasons.

Canada’s women’s national team is training in Switzerland from 5-18 July in advance of the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada plays 25 July against Japan, South Africa on 28 July, and Sweden (in Newcastle) on 31 July.