CANADA 2012: Canada defeated Haiti 6-0; Costa Rica tops Cuba 2-0 in women’s Olympic qualifying

VANCOUVER, British Columbia —Saudy Rosales scored in the 12th minute, and Wendy Acosta netted in the 54th as Costa Rica beat Cuba 2-0 on Thursday night in the opening game of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the London Olympics.

Costa Rica, a favorite to reach the semifinals, needed a pair of saves by defenders to get the shutout against Cuba, the lowest- ranked nation in the eight-team tournament. Marianne Ugalde made a sliding stop on Yezenia Gallardo in the first half after goalkeeper Julieth Arias had overcommitted, and Fabiola Sanchez headed Gallardo’s shot off the line in the second half.

Two Olympic berths are up for grabs in the tournament, which runs through Jan. 29. Costa Rica plays Haiti in the second round of group games on Saturday, while Cuba will face group favorite Canada.
Christine Sinclair delivered what everyone came to see, but an injury concern could dampen coach John Herdman's joy after Canada's 6-0 win over Haiti at B.C. Place on Thursday.
Burnaby's Sinclair set up the first goal and scored the next four as the hosts opened their CONCACAF Olympic qualifying campaign with authority in front of around 7,000 fans.
She's now scored 124 career international goals in 169 games, one back of U.S. forward Abby Wambach for fourth all-time and second among active players.
Herdman, however, lost left-back Lauren Sesselmann to a left knee injury just before halftime.
It's a position he was seeking a solution for when he took the coaching job in September. In newcomer Sesselmann, a Green Bay, Wisc., native whose dad was born in Newfoundland, he felt he had the answer.
After a tough collision with Haiti's Samantha Brand, Sesselmann eventually walked off the field with an ice pack, so perhaps it's not as serious as it first looked.
"It's a real shame because the kid was doing well for us; she brings a real grit," said Herdman. "It's too early to tell. The medical staff will have a look at it once the swelling goes down. There's still some stability in there."
Coming into the game, the biggest question, or at least curiosity, was, What would Haiti offer?
FIFA's 62nd-ranked country, still recovering from the devastating earthquake of Jan., 2010, showed a fighting spirit early.
But the strong goalkeeping of Ednie Limage, who plays for the University of Moncton in New Brunswick, was only worth so much.
Herdman said before the tournament that he wanted to experiment with Sinclair in a deeper role so she can arrive in the penalty area more elusively.
Playing as an attacking midfielder, she slipped into space seven minutes in and setup Christine Julien for a simple finish.
Her four-goal flurry that followed perhaps had as much to do with her opponent's defensive errors as her positioning, but the move had to be deemed a success; an added potential headache for Mexico and the U.S. when the competition ramps up.
"Sinc's revelling in that role," Herdman said. "She's a provider, she doesn't usually put a pass wrong, but she can also score four goals as well."
As for being one goal back of Wambach?
"Anytime they can get one up on the Americans; I think Christine will have that in the back of her mind," he said.
The 4-0 goal was the highlight as Ancaster, Ont.'s Melissa Tancredi flicked a beautiful pass over her head to Sinclair, who took a touch and finished as calm as always.
Sinclair's fourth came on a penalty kick, after Limage left for the hospital with an apparent back injury. Her defender took her out at the legs and she landed awkwardly.
Herdman praised an active Canadian midfield, especially Kelly Parker of Saskatoon, and she completed the route in injury time.
Herdman used the second half to work through his roster.
Chelsea Stewart, a versatile player from The Pas, Man., replaced Sesselmann at left-back but Burlington, Ont.'s Melanie Booth will start the next game there.
Kaylyn Kyle came on for Sophie Schmidt in midfield and North Delta's Chelsea Buckland for Tancredi up front.
With three games in five days, Herdman wants a fresh lineup for the semifinal.
It marked Buckland's international tournament debut for Canada after she spent last summer training with the Women's World Cup squad in Italy.
Buckland turns 22 today and a boisterous section of Southsiders — the Whitecaps' largest supporters group — broke into Happy Birthday for her.
They added atmosphere to an otherwise cavernous building. The lower bowl in B.C. Place can hold around 25,000, but they are only seating one side here, to accommodate TV.
The semifinals — with two berths to the 2012 London Olympics up for grabs — and bragging-rights final are expected to be the big draws.
Limage made several great saves for Haiti, who have three other North American-based players in their lineup, including Brand, who was cautioned for her tackle on Sesselmann.
Canada's next opponent is Cuba on Saturday night.
Judging by Cuba's apathetic 2-0 loss to Costa Rica in Thursday's opening game, it will be a similar result.
Costa Rica showed some life, especially through forward Raquel Rodriguez, but didn't look a match for the hosts next Tuesday.
Group B action features FIFA's top-ranked U.S., as well as Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala.