25 March 2014 in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
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.”
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.
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.
Related News
Canada W17 reaches World Cup quarterfinal for third time
Posted on 22 March 2014 in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
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.”
READ MATCH REPORT : Canada W17 2:1 Ghana
Other interviews available on CanadaSoccerTV:
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.”
READ MATCH REPORT : Canada W17 2:1 Ghana
Other interviews available on CanadaSoccerTV:
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