CANADA’S WOMEN SOCCER AND THE REAL FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SCENE LOOKING AT CANADA 2015 WORLD CUP

LONDON 2012: CANADA’S WOMEN SOCCER AND THE REAL FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SCENE LOOKING AT CANADA 2015 WORLD CUP

By JUAN CARLOS CORDERO, UNO International News Service.-

I disagree with the Canadian soccer experts. For example, TSN sports commentator Jason De Vos misses completely the point because a victory in quarterfinals over No. 9 in the world, Great Britain. Score, throw the ball to the tribune or pass it to goalkeeper Erin McLeod endless, and do whatever it takes to get the medal. Maybe for him, a former defender with Canada and playing in England Premier league was the key, but not for the high level we are talking. Canada at Men’s level is No. 62 in the World ranking, at least in Women is at No. 7.

I don’t think Canada’s Women Football National Team need to reflect the national identity, necessarily. This is a long debate and dilemma in soccer for ages: the ones who favour patriotism and war-game kind of sports and those one that prefer to enjoy the game played with great fundamentals and then the results and performance will follow.

For example, would you rather win with the Helenio Herrera’s Catennaccio or with Rinus Mitchell’s Total Football? Or would you say Argentinean world champion in Mexico 1986 and runner up in Italy 1990 had a better soccer than also Argentinean champion Cesar Luis Menotti, whose team won the World Cup in 1974 leaving aside the youngster Diego Armando Maradona?

Too much for men’s soccer comparison. Women’s Football is another kind of game. First, the strongest and more physical teams such as Norway, United States, Germany, and Sweden had the full advantages over other countries where the equity access to sports for women was – and is still- in its infancy. Then, it came Brazil of Sissy and Marta, who revolutionized the way you play, with the same emphasis that makes Verdeamarelha futebol the most admired in the world (even being copied by France and Spain lately).

Canada states in between those two worlds. First with Pellerud, Canadian soccer was boring but effective, long passes, fast runs and physical power. Italian Carolina Morace changed that perspective and introduced even to her best players such as Christine Sinclair to the ball possession way with more technical skills. She went nowhere but not because of the system and soccer ideology, but the way the training camps and World Cup preparation were done in Europe soil, instead on local ground in Canada. Canadian players need to feel that support here, with young girls and women watching their practice and inspiring themselves for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Canada in 2015.

John Herdmann has been pragmatic, for sure. However, when playing the big powers(those only a couple of positions ahead of Canada now in No. 7 FIFA Women’s World Ranking -  No. 1 to No. 6, United States, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Brazil, and France)have not being able to overpower them. The last games with USA have being decided still on the more vast skills and physical stamina of the American that Canadian could handle. A month ago, in a friendly in USA, Canada was tied 1-1 until the 89’ minute, when a distraction make the old nemesis win again. At the Olympics, Canada lost 2-1 with Japan, the World Champions, won No. 61. South Africa 3-0, and tied 2-2 with No. 4 Sweden. 

Both teams have similar decisive strikers: Amy Wambach and Christine Sinclair, both aiming to surpass Mia Ham in the scoring category in all history with 142 and 141 goals each. But while Jonelle Filigno is not a real forward, while the American shows Alex Morgan and dual citizen Sydney Leroux as lethal strikers (Leroux entered in the minute 86 and 87’s scored the 2-0 for USA against New Zealand in quarterfinals). While Canada handled the ball fast in the first half in midfield, everything was well, but then disoriented Scott started to kick and luckily she did not got a penalty; the same for Rhian Wilkinson, she did two faults that merit that call and all those sliding tackles in the penalty area are a risk especially because the Americans will dive to the “pool”. Schmidt is a great player but she needs to go more ahead of the defense line. At the end, Tancredi was the only forward in the last minutes against Great Britain, but even she was defending and saving a goal in the added time. Yes, you can say you want your team to play with that passion, but – again – versus the United States that would bring disaster.

I rather prefer Canadian women to play a more smooth game, like the Japanese team won the World Cup and is heading to an eventual Olympics’ final: they put the ball to the ground, move fast, and when confronted with Americans and other powerful rivals they dribble, faints and left every defender looking the other way around. We want to see that kind of game because for many of Canada Women’s Olympics Team this will be the last competition, they are heading over their 30’s and the replacement generation that was led by Kara Lang (very happy with her former teammates success, but very realistic) has not many great stars yet. However, watching soccer, reporting and scouting in Toronto and all over Ontario and Canada, I can attest that there is a talent pool very hidden, ready to bloom is the example is shown at the World and Olympic levels. I am the National Head Coach for TEAM CANADA going to next II AMF Women’s Futsal Cup to be held in Colombia, April 2013, and the Pre-World Cup in Venezuela, November 2012, so I know what I say. Also, I am a sports journalist for almost 40 years, licensed coach by the Chilean Soccer Federation, attended a a FIFA Coca Soccer Academy with Heinz Marotzke, written an important “SOCCER COACHING HANDBOOK” in Spanish and preparing  the “FUTSAL COACHING HANDBOOK” in English for worldwide development.

It is not that we think Americans will defeat Canada by “default” in next Monday August 6, 2:45 p.m. ET in our country, but please take from them the pressure that means to represent “The National identity”. They are there for the best of the soccer game and playing with a balance between physical and technical skills, there is a chance to win United States. Otherwise, it will be the same old story, simply the same old story. Soccer is different than hockey if you want to put the warrior identity, completely different than soccer where technical skills are more important the checks against the walls and the enforcers. And even in that sport, the best was the greatest technical hockey player, Wayne Gretzky.

Soccer  Womenʼs Event Results

Stages: Round Robin Pool

• Round Robin Pool
• Playoffs

✓  Qualified for Playoffs

The top two teams in each pool advance to quarterfinals. 

Group E
Rank	Team		Won		Lost		Points
✓  1.	United Kingdom		3		0		9
✓  2.	Brazil		2		1		6
✓  3.	New Zealand		1		2		3
4.	Cameroon		0		3		0
Games July 25, 11 AM ET GBR United Kingdom 1 NZL New Zealand 0 Game Details » July 25, 1 PM ET CMR Cameroon 0 BRA Brazil 5 Game Details » July 28, 9 AM ET NZL New Zealand 0 BRA Brazil 1 Game Details » July 28, 12 PM ET GBR United Kingdom 3 CMR Cameroon 0 Game Details » July 31, 2 PM ET NZL New Zealand 3 CMR Cameroon 1 Game Details » July 31, 2 PM ET GBR United Kingdom 1 BRA Brazil 0 Game Details »
Group F
Rank	Team	Won		Lost		Points
✓  1.	Sweden	1		0		5
✓  2.	Japan	1		0		5
✓  3.	Canada	1		1		4
4.	South Africa	0		2		1
Games July 25, 12 PM ET JPN Japan 2 CAN Canada 1 Game Details » July 25, 2 PM ET SWE Sweden 4 RSA South Africa 1 Game Details » July 28, 7 AM ET JPN Japan 0 SWE Sweden 0 Game Details » July 28, 9 AM ET CAN Canada 3 RSA South Africa 0 Game Details » July 31, 9 AM ET JPN Japan 0 RSA South Africa 0 Game Details » July 31, 9 AM ET CAN Canada 2 SWE Sweden 2 Game Details »

Group G
Rank	Team	Won	Lost	Points
✓  1.	United States	3	0	9
✓  2.	France	2	1	6
3.	North Korea	1	2	3
4.	Colombia	0	3	0
Games July 25, 12 PM ET USA United States 4 FRA France 2 Game Details » July 25, 3 PM ET COL Colombia 0 PRK North Korea 2 Game Details » July 28, 12 PM ET USA United States 3 COL Colombia 0 Game Details » July 28, 2 PM ET FRA France 5 PRK North Korea 0 Game Details » July 31, 12 PM ET USA United States 1 PRK North Korea 0 Game Details » July 31, 12 PM ET FRA France 1 COL Colombia 0 Game Details »

Rnk	Team	Pts
1	USA	2178
2	Germany	2168
3	Japan	2120
4	Sweden	2066
5	Brazil	2060
6	France	2021
7	Canada	1981
8	Korea DPR	1970
9	England	1966
10	Australia	1956
11	Italy	1947
12	Denmark	1923
13	Norway	1908
14	Netherlands	1887
15	Korea Republic	1843
16	Spain	1841
17	Iceland	1835
18	China PR	1828
19	Finland	1803
19	Russia	1803
21	Scotland	1777
22	Ukraine	1773
23	New Zealand	1772
24	Mexico	1768
25	Czech Republic	1731
26	Switzerland	1726
27	Nigeria	1686
28	Colombia	1651
29	Thailand	1645
30	Belgium	1644

Canada set up USA clash

© Getty Images

Great Britain have exited the Women's Olympic Football Tournament following a 2-0 defeat by Canada in Coventry.

After three wins from three in the group stage, Hope Powell's team never got to grips with their quarter-final opponents as Canada secured a deserved win and a trip to Old Trafford to meet old foes USA on Monday.

Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair got the first-half goals which condemned the hosts to a last eight exit.

Filigno had already been denied once by Karen Bardsley when she met an 11th-minute corner with a perfect half-volley that flashed into the corner of Bardsley's goal.

It was the first time Team GB had conceded during the competition and, after Alex Scott had failed to capitalise on Karen Carney's superb cross, Bardsley was soon picking the ball out of her net again.

A Sinclair free-kick curled delightfully into the corner of the net, which brought back memories of her strike against the hosts of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Germany.

With the impressive Filigno a constant threat, Great Britain could never settle into any sort of rhythm and the absence of Kelly Smith through injury didn't help.

Even free-scoring full-back Stephanie Houghton was unable to threaten, with her forays forward constantly checked by a well-organised Canada side.

In a second half lacking in goalmouth action, Fara Williams wriggled her way to the byline and picked out makeshift striker Jill Scott with a cross but the Everton midfielder was unable to get enough power into her header to trouble Erin McLeod.

Team GB left the field to a standing ovation at the end, with the team hoping that their efforts at this tournament will leave a lasting legacy in the youngsters who have seen them perform.

Tancredi & Sinclair: We’re back in the race

Saturday 28 July 2012

© AFP

When Christine Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi are on song, any defence in the world would have a hard time coping with them. And after the strike duo turned on the style at the 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Coventry on Saturday, the relief in the Canada camp was tangible.

First, Tancredi struck the opening goal, before Sinclair netted a brace to secure a 3-0 win over South Africa. It was just the response the side needed, having lost 2-1 to world champions Japan in their opening Group F game.

For the match-winning pair, the result represents the beginning of a new chapter after what they consider to have been a disappointing FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™.

Olympic explosion“It feels great to be back in the race,” a smiling and visibly relieved Tancredi told FIFA.com after the match. “The time has come for me to show what I can do. I’m approaching the end of my career and there’s a lot I want to achieve at these Olympics.”

The fact that she has come good at London 2012 of all events can surely be no coincidence. At Beijing 2008, Tancredi’s superb displays won over the hearts of the fans. “It seems like fighting for gold at the Olympics brings out the best in me,” said the 30-year-old with typical enthusiasm. Nevertheless, she is also keen to lay the groundwork for Canada to be able to shine when they host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015.

'As a duo we’re something special'Tancredi is one of the key elements in the success of coach John Herdman’s team. Sinclair, one-and-a-half years her junior, is another. Thanks to her two strikes on Saturday, she moved up to third in the world’s all-time ranking, just a goal behind Abby Wambach (140), and fast approaching top scorer Mia Hamm (158).

We’ve been playing together for so long now that we know each other inside out. As a duo we’re something special.

Melissa Tancredi on her partnership with Christine Sinclair

“Christine in one of the best strikers on the planet,” Tancredi told FIFA.com. “I think I can help her either by setting her up or by scoring myself. We’ve been playing together for so long now that we know each other inside out. As a duo we’re something special.”

Give and takeHerdman is delighted to have both of them at his disposal. “On some days there’s just no stopping Christine,” said the coach. “But the fact that Melissa scores as well takes some of the weight off Christine’s shoulders. It shows that there’s more to us than just Christine. We depended on her for too long.”

For Sinclair herself, individual accolades are of secondary importance, as she told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview: “I’m not thinking about pulling level with Abby [Wambach] or even overtaking her. I’m happy to do without the record as long as I can win a medal, maybe even gold, with my team.”

Tancredi herself may also be able to break a record during these games, and one currently held by Sinclair at that. The latter’s four goals at Olympic tournaments is a national best, with the former just one behind.

“If we’re both getting the goals to compete for this record that’s fine by me,” Tancredi said with a loud, contagious laugh. “That will mean that we’re being successful and that’s good for all of us.”

In the third and decisive group game in Newcastle on Tuesday, opponents Sweden will need to watch out for the amicable Canadian duo, who have developed quite a taste for scoring at the Olympics

THE NEXT CHALLENGE: CANADA 2015 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Qualification slots for Canada 2015 confirmed

Monday 11 June 2012

© Getty Images

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will be the first female final tournament with 24 teams participating.

Due to the addition of eight additional teams for the final competition, the qualification criteria has been revised and the FIFA Executive Committee has decided on the new slot allocation for the six confederations.

These following slots have been confirmed:

AFC: 5 slots
CAF: 3 slots
CONCACAF: 3.5 slots
CONMEBOL: 2.5 Slots
OFC: 1 Slot
UEFA: 8 Slots
HOST: 1 Slot (Canada)

The organisation of the qualifying competition is under the responsibility of the respective confederation and will be communicated at a later stage.