Women’s World Cup Team To Face South Korea in Toronto and Montreal

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced its Women’s World Cup Team will host South Korea in two international friendly matches this summer. The games will be played on June 18, 2003 at Centennial Stadium in Toronto and June 20, 2003 at Claude Robillard Stadium in Montreal.



In their only previous encounter, Canada defeated South Korea 1:0 with a goal scored by Andrea Neil on May 5, 2000 while participating in the Nike Cup in Portland, Oregon. Eight members of the current World Cup Team played in that match: Breanna Boyd, Silvana Burtini, Christine Latham, Isabelle Morneau, Andrea Neil, Sharolta Nonen, Christine Sinclair, and Amy Walsh.



“Our team will need competitive games through the summer in order to go into the World Cup well prepared,” said Canadian head coach Even Pellerud. “These series will also give our team a tremendous opportunity to gain invaluable experience against opponents who compete with the typical Asian playing style – with emphasis on possession, short passes and speed.”



“South Korea is competing for a spot in World Cup as well, and is a part of the strong Asian quartet of world class teams, together with China, North Korea, and Japan.”



Canada will host two more international friendlies against Mexico in Edmonton on September 1 and once again in Vancouver on September 4 before heading to China for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.



“I am very pleased to play some of these important games on home turf. In my opinion Canadians wish to see the team at home and the players have a great desire to play in front of the home crowd.”



Canada will commence their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a training camp in Bradenton, Florida from February 10-20 before heading to Portugal and the Algarve Cup where they will face Norway, Sweden, and the United States in a strong Group A.