On Thursday, there’s more than a spot in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014 semi-finals on the line for Canada’s Women’s U-17 Team. As they get set to take on Venezuela, Canada will be hoping to become the first Canadian team to ever reach the semi-finals of a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Two years ago in Azerbaijan, Canada went out 2:1 to Korea DPR while Germany brought Canada’s tournament to an end in the quarterfinals of the inaugural tournament in 2008 with a 3:1 result.
Ironically enough, both Korea and Germany were dispatched in the group stage as Canada tied both of them before beating Ghana in the final game to advance alongside Ghana, who won Group B.
“Everyone’s super excited and so proud to represent our country and do so well. This is what we’ve always dreamed of achieving,” midfielder Sarah Kinzner said after the team trained on Tuesday. “Each game we just kept working and working so I think if we stick to the game plan we’ll continue to greatness.”
BROADCAST ALERT: Fans can watch Thursday’s Canada-Venezuela match live on all four Sportsnet regional channels at 16.00 ET / 13.00 PT.
Canada has never played Venezuela at any level of the women’s game and after an Asian, European, and African team in the group stage, they’ll now get a chance to see what South America has to offer.
The mood was light on the team bus as they wrapped up a rousing training session. Still, with two days to go before a chance to make history, the excitement level can only grow higher.
“At the start of the tournament our goal was just to make it as far as we could,” said forward Marie-Mychèle Métivier. “We have a team spirit that we’re all together and now I think we’re capable of going even further.”
The team will get a look at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s game and if Thursday is successful they’ll make the drive back up to Liberia, CRC, on Friday to prepare for the semis.
For full coverage of the game, fans can follow all the news at canadasoccer.com, via Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN, Facebook and CanadaSoccerTV.
Never was a two-goal lead more precarious as Canada’s Women’s National Team endured 40 minutes down a player to pull out the win they desperately needed to continue their 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup journey.
With Korea DPR picking up a 4:3 win over Germany in Group B’s other game, that mean a win was the only result that would get Canada through and thanks to an all for one performance, a narrow 2:1 over Ghana gets Canada that berth.
“It was a stressful bench but a very proud bench,” said a very relieved Head Coach Bev Priestman. “To play 40 and probably 45 minutes with the added time with ten-players, you’ve got to be proud of them.”
This will be the third time that a Canadian team is in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The first time came at the inaugural U-17 World Cup back in 2008 in New Zealand, while the second one was in Azerbaijan 2012. Canada was knocked out both times.
This time, they had to get through the toughest group in the tournament, knocking out the runners-up and fourth-placed teams from two years ago in Korea DPR and Germany.
Canada W17 will play its quarter final match against Venezuela Thursday 27 March.
Marie Levasseur’s second goal of the night came late in the first half and it came right when Canada needed it as Ghana was pressing hard for an equalizer. In the end, that was the winner as Bianca St Georges was sent off five minutes into the second half and Sandra Owusu Ansah raised Canadian heart rates even more with her 72nd minute goal. SEE THE FIFA VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
After the goal, they felt the pressure a player can only feel at the World Cup. They passed with flying colours.
“They’ve exceeded my expectations,” said Priestman. “I knew we could play the way we played but I think the resilience and the defensive work under massive bouts of pressure, they’ve done amazingly.”
Manchester Citysnuffed outManchester United's recent revival and closed on English Premier League leaders Chelsea asEdin Dzekoscored twice in a 3-0winat Old Trafford on Tuesday. United had been encouraged by wins over Olympiacos and West Ham United, but Dzeko needed only 43 seconds to put City ahead in the 150th league derby between the teams and the hosts never threatened to respond.
Dzeko claimed his second goal early in the second half beforeYaya Toureadded a late third to leave Manuel Pellegrini's side three points behind leaders Chelsea, with two games in hand, ahead of Saturday's trip to Arsenal.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international's brace gave City a third consecutive victory at Old Trafford and prevented United from avenging their 4-1 humiliation at the Etihad Stadium in September. Defeat left David Moyes's United 12 points adrift of the top four.
Eager to avoid a repeat of United's recent 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool, Moyes stiffened his midfield by deploying Tom Cleverley alongside Michael Carrick andMarouane Fellaini, but the hosts were behind within a minute. After Rafael da Silva had thrown himself into a block to denyDavid Silva, City worked the ball wide to Samir Nasri on the left and when his shot came back off the near post, Dzeko tapped in.
Momentarily United looked dazed, and their sloppiness on the edge of their own box only invited City to attack them. Jones had to slide in to block from Silva after Carrick lost the ball, while United goalkeeper David de Gea produced a superb one-handed save to thwart Dzeko and atone for a loose kick of his own.
Hosts try to recover Gradually the hosts began to make inroads, but City goalkeeper Joe Hart was able to save comfortably from first Wayne Rooney and then Fellaini, while Juan Mata lashed over from a Rafael cut-back. Fellaini, meanwhile, was fortunate to make it to half-time after being shown only a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver despite appearing to catch City right-back Pablo Zabaleta with a deliberately raised elbow.
Moyes introduced Shinji Kagawa in place of Cleverley at half-time, but it was City who took the upper hand. United were given warnings, Fernandinho heading over from an offside position, Jones producing a last-ditch tackle to deny Dzeko, but they did not heed them and in the 56th minute it was 2-0.
Nasri shaped a corner towards the near post from the right-hand side and Dzeko left Rio Ferdinand in his wake to steer a right-foot volley into the top-right corner.
There were opportunities for United to reduce the arrears in the latter stages, but Hart saved twice fromEnglandcolleague Danny Welbeck and then boxed a deflected free-kick by Mata over the bar. It was left to Toureto applythe coup de grace, collecting a deflected cross from substitute James Milner in the 90th minute and drilling a low shot into the bottom-left corner to notch his 21st goal of the season.
With the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ kicking off in a little over two-and-a-half months’ time, players from the 32 qualified nations are, as one can imagine, sparing no efforts in trying to secure a place in their country’s squad for the global extravaganza. In Asia, the ongoing AFC Champions League has provided both the imported and home-grown stars with opportunities to showcase their talents and form in front of the closely-watching coaches.
Argentinian internationalWalter Montillo, who started forLa Albicelestein place of an injured Lionel Messi against Colombia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier last year, recently toldFIFA.comof his ambitions of making it to Brazil 2014. The 29-year-old midfielder has earned praises from media and fans alike through some solid performances since joining Chinese Shandong Luneng at the start of the season.
"It goes without saying that I want to return toArgentina’s national team and represent my country at the World Cup," said Montillo, who pulled his weight as Shandong Luneng won comfortably 3-1 at Cerezo Osaka in their second Asian outing. "I had played in a couple of (World Cup) qualifying games but unfortunately I was not called up for our last fixtures. I hope I can earn my place back through my performances with Shandong."
Having seen his former Santos teammate Neymar establish a talismanic place with Brazil, the mercurial attacking midfielder is keen that his dream can materialise. He said: "I am lucky I have the experience of playing alongside players like Nemar. I think he is among the top three stars of the world, alongside Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo. I have learned a lot from him. He gives me inspiration as I target a national team return."
I hope I can earn my place back through my performances with Shandong.
Argentina midfielder Walter Montillo on hoping to return to the national team picture
The same can be said of 24-year-old forwardYoichiro Kakitani, who is battling hard for a place in Alberto Zaccheroni's star-studded Japan side. The Cerezo Osaka player proved to be Japan's biggest revelation during last year's EAFF East Asian Cup, where he emerged as the top-scorer with three goals. He has maintained his eye-catching form in his Asian debut, bagging three goals in as many games as his club kept their hopes alive in a tough group that also features the likes of Pohang Steelers and Shandong.
There is a different story in the run up to Brazil 2014 forKim Younggwon, who has continued his reliable role in Guangzhou Evergrande’s defence as Marcelli Lippi’s side have started their Asian title-defence off well. While a place in Hong Myung-Bo's World Cup squad should be within his grasp, issues like form and injury provide plenty of cause for concerns as he spoke withFIFA.com. "It is indeed a big year for me, with both club duties and World Cup responsibility. I pray I can continue my form and won't pick up any injuries."
Compatriot Kim Shin-Wook also entered this year's campaign in prolific form as Uslan Hyundai aim to recapture the title they had won two years ago. He has twice been on target as his side continues to dominate their section. MidfielderHa Daesung, meanwhile, enjoyed a good start with new club Beijing Guoan, equalising for his side in a 1-1 draw at Sanfrecce Hiroshima in his debut.
Elsewhere, former Australian U-23 captainMark Milliganhas been an integral part of Melboune Victory’s success so far as the A-League side has pulled off four points to maintain their hopes in a pool that also features Guangzhou and Joenbuk Motors. His national team-mateAlex Brosque, for his part, started in the opening two matches for Al Ain, who are currently topping their group above the likes of Lekhwiya and Al Ittihad.
Established stars return to formThe majority of the fans have, of course, had their eyes glued on a rich crop of established stars who have set the Asian stage ablaze. Notably,GhanacaptainAsamoah Gyanhas showed his goal-scoring form has yet to desert him, topping the tournament scoring-chart with four goals from three matches as Al Ain are well on course to seal early progression.
In a no-less-impressive manner, Italian internationalAlessandro Diamantihas quickly established himself as a star for Guangzhou since joining early this year. The former Bologna skipper proved his worth with two of the opening matchday's finest strikes as his side fought from two goals down to power past Melbourne Victory 4-2 at home, before equalising in a 1-1 draw at Yokohama F. Marinos with a sublimely executed free-kick in Matchday 2.
Having struggled during his short acclimatisation with new club Cerezo,UruguaystrikerDiego Forlanfinally broke his duck with a stoppage-time strike in the recent 4-0 triumph at Buriram United, undoubtedly pleasingLa Celestecoach Oscar Tabarez and many supporters back in South America. Lastly, 34-year-old Lee Donggook justified his place asKorea Republic's evergreen goal-getter, managing a brace in a 2-2 draw at Melbourne Victory before finding the back of the net again despite dropping a 3-1 result at Guangzhou.
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:41, 5 June 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:10, 15 October 2009 (UTC)
Nolberto Albino "Ñol" Solano Todco (born 12 December 1974), commonly known as Nobby Solano, is a retired Peruvian professional footballer, and former manager of Peruvian Primera División club Universitario de Deportes. He has spent much of his playing career in the English Premier League and also played 95 times for Peru between 1994 and 2009. He is a popular figure in his native Peru, where he is seen as one of the most famous Peruvians, appearing on telephone cards and having his wedding televised live.[1][2]
His talents in football range from accurate crosses to accomplished dead-ball skills and he has traditionally played either on the right side of midfield, or as a right back during his career. He is the first choice player to take corner and direct free kicks. Solano is the first Peruvian to play in the Premier League and the FA Cup Final. He is also an accomplished trumpet player and has set up his own Salsa band, The Geordie Latinos.[3] He has described himself as an "adopted Geordie."[4]
Born in Callao, Peru, Solano was the youngest of seven. His father, Albino, was in the Peruvian Navy, whilst his mother was a housewife who raised him, his four brothers and two sisters. He began playing football at a very early age in the streets of Callao.
Solano witnessed the Peru national football team qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup at the age of three and again qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup at the age of seven. The second World Cup he witnessed had the biggest effect on him. At that time he played a lot of football and his national team inspired him.
Solano signed his first professional contract with the Peruvian Primera División side Sporting Cristal in 1992 at the age of 17. He made his league debut on 13 April 1992 in his team's 2–0 win against San Agustín. Towards the end of his first season at Sporting Cristal, he signed a one-year contract with Deportivo Municipal, before returning to Cristal at the end of 1993. He was part of the Sporting Cristal squad of the 1990s during which the club won the Peruvian Championship in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and reached the finals of the 1997 Copa Libertadores. Along with Roberto Palacios, Flavio Maestri, Julinho and Jorge Soto, he was one of Sporting Cristal's most recognized players of the era.
In 1997 aged 22 he signed for Argentinian side Boca Juniors where he became a teammate of Diego Maradona, who nicknamed Solano the 'Maestrito'.[4] Solano said in 2004 that he would like to play for Boca Juniors again, but admitted he was perhaps too old for the ambition to be a realistic one.[5]
In 1998, Solano became the first Peruvian to play in England[citation needed] when he signed a contract with Newcastle United for £2,480,000.[6] Such was the interest in the little Peruvian that his first appearance in a black and white shirt for Newcastle reserves resulted in the kick off being delayed to accommodate the large crowd, many of whom had been delayed after a lorry had shed its load blocking one of the major routes into the city.[citation needed] Solano justified the turnout with a goal. His first team debut for Newcastle came in a Premier League match against Chelsea on 22 August 1998, when he came on after 67 minutes as a substitute for goalscorer Andreas Andersson. In June 2001, he signed a new five-year contract with the club. A month later he scored what he later described as "the best goal of [his] career" with a solo effort against 1860 München.[7] During this first spell at Newcastle, he played in the 1999 FA Cup Final.
Solano joined Aston Villa in January 2004 for a fee of £1.5 million and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.[8] He attributed his leaving Newcastle to a "strained relationship" with manager Bobby Robson.[9] He made his debut in a 5–0 win over Leicester City on 31 January,[10] ended the 2004–05 season as top scorer,[11] and was elected the club's Player of the Year by the supporters, his teammates,[12] and the local press.
In what proved Solano's last appearance for Villa, in August 2005, he was sent off for striking Portsmouth's Richard Hughes in the face.[13] On transfer deadline day, Solano rejected a late offer to join Liverpool and agreed to return to Newcastle.[14]
Solano returned to Newcastle United in August 2005 for a fee believed by the BBC to be £1.5 million. He signed a contract originally for two years, but with the option for Newcastle to extend it for another year. MidfielderJames Milner went in the other direction, joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan.[15] Solano revealed that Alan Shearer had played an influential role in arranging his return.[16]
In the 2006–07 season, injuries to right-back Stephen Carr and others caused manager Glenn Roeder to play Solano at right-back instead of his usual right-wing position. However it was not an unfamiliar playing position to Solano, as he had started his football career in defence and had featured at right-back for his country. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Solano said he would be "crazy" to move on at the age of 32,[17] and duly signed a new one-year contract. However a few months later, he asked to leave the club to be closer to his family, who had moved to London.[18] His one regret was that he had been unable to help the club win a trophy for the fans.[19]
Solano signed a one-year contract with West Ham United in August 2007.[20] He made his debut for West Ham in October 2007, coming on as a second half substitute in the 3–1 home win against Sunderland, and was instrumental in West Ham's second goal, his shot being deflected into the Sunderland goal by goalkeeper, Craig Gordon.[21] His first goal for West Ham was a free-kick and the fifth goal in West Ham's 5–0 away win against Derby County on 10 November 2007.[22] In the last game of the season on 11 May 2008 Solano scored his second free-kick goal, against Aston Villa, the match ended 2–2. He was released by West Ham when his contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season having scored four goals in 23 appearances.[23]
Although Solano was rumoured to be interesting LA Galaxy,[24] he became "one of the biggest signings in the club’s history" when he signed for Super League Greece club Larissa in August 2008.[25]
He then returned to Peru with Universitario de Deportes, for whom he scored a crucial penalty against Alianza Lima in the play-off for the Peruvian Primera División title,[26] helping the team to a 2–0 aggregate victory to seal the club's 25th league title.
Solano returned to England where he trained with Colchester United[27] and with Newcastle,[28] before, on 22 January 2010, signing for Leicester City until the end of the season. He was reunited with Nigel Pearson, who had been assistant manager at Newcastle.[29] He made his debut as an 84th-minute substitute in a goalless draw against Newcastle at the Walkers Stadium on 30 January,[30] to an enthusiastic reception from both sets of fans.[citation needed] He played his first full game in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace on 16 March.[citation needed] Solano played eleven league games, scoring in a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to Cardiff City in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg.[31] He was offered a contract for a further six months, but chose to leave the club,[32] preferring to follow Pearson to Hull City.[33]
Solano rejoined former Foxes' boss Nigel Pearson, who had recently taken over the manager's job at Hull City, signing a one-year deal.[34] Despite initial expectations that Solano would be with Hull City for only a single season before retiring, Solano revealed in April 2011, that he hoped that he would be able to extend his stay with the Tigers beyond the 2010–11 season, by combining a playing and coaching role, as Nick Barmby had done.[35]
It was announced on 13 May 2011 that Solano had signed for Hartlepool United, having previously worked with their manager Mick Wadsworth at Newcastle.[36] Solano, on the first day of signing, promoted the idea of Are You Coming To Pools? with Hartlepool United selling season tickets for £100, the lowest price in Football League One.[citation needed]
On 2 August, Solano scored in a friendly against Sunderland, rivals of his former club Newcastle United, and scored his first league goal for Hartlepool on 17 September at home against Bury. The following week, Solano doubled his Hartlepool tally by scoring their first goal direct from a free-kick in the 2–1 away win at AFC Bournemouth. Following Wadsworth's sacking, his successor, first-team coach Neale Cooper, confirmed that Solano was not part of his plans, because he needed "players who will really graft, [and] that's not Nobby's game".[37] In April 2012, the club confirmed Solano had been advised not to play for the remainder of the season because of recurring illness.[38]
In February 2012, he became first-team coach at Northern League side Newcastle Benfield while remaining a member of Hartlepool's playing squad.[39]
Solano made his full international debut for Peru at the age of 18, and went on to be capped 95 times, scoring 20 goals. He has been a key member of the squad since the mid-1990s but, in June 2005, Solano decided to quit the Peruvian national football team due to disagreements with the coach, Freddy Ternero. In 2006, he returned to the national team setup under new coach Franco Navarro. Despite his return to the national team, Solano was not selected for Peru's Copa America 2007 squad. He has continued to represent the national team since then, but with his country having no chance at all of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he has recently announced his decision to retire from international football after the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia. Solano has also stated his desire to try and guide his country to the World Cup as a coach in the near future to try and make up for never making it as a player.[40]
Solano took the first step into coaching as the part-time first-team coach of Newcastle Benfield in 2012.[39]
In June 2012, he was confirmed as manager of Peruvian Primera División club Universitario de Deportes.[41]
On 12 December 2012, Universitario confirmed that Solano had left the club, despite the fact he guided the club into the top half of the table after being in the relegation zone when he first took charge.[42]
Solano was arrested by police in the Gosforth area of Newcastle on 26 April 2010, on allegations of raping a 22-year old woman from the city.[46] After a thorough investigation by the Northumbria Police, no further action was taken when allegations turned out to be false.[47]
Jump up ^Hill, Graham (1 February 2004). "Diego made me a star – ace Solano". Sunday Mercury (Birmingham)."Solano is a hero in Peru where his face appears in TV adverts. The 29-year-old winger is such a household name there that even his wedding was televised live."
