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Friday, October 31, 2014

Women’s shortlists for FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 revealed



 

24 October 2014 22:00 CET

The FIFA Women's World Player of the year trophy. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/Getty Images
Who will be the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football for 2014?
FIFA and France Football have today announced the names of the players and coaches on the shortlists for these awards (see below). The final decisions will be made, as usual, by the captains and head coaches of the women's national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by FIFA.
The shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d'Or (best male player) and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football awards will be revealed in four days' time on 28 October 2014.
The winners of all the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d'Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 12 January 2015, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award (for the most beautiful goal of the year), the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.
The list of ten female players has been drawn up by experts from FIFA's Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by experts from FIFA's Football Committee and Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football.
On 1 December, FIFA and France Football will announce in a live show the names of the three women and three men, as well as the three coaches for women's football and three coaches for men's football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards, goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will be unveiled in the end of November and the beginning of December.
Women's shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014
The following ten women (in alphabetical order) are contenders for the title of FIFA Women's World Player of the Year 2014:
Nadine Angerer (Germany), Veronica Boquete (Spain), Nilla Fischer (Sweden), Nahomi Kawasumi (Japan), Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Aya Miyama (Japan), Louisa Necib (France), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Abby Wambach (USA).
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, giving first nationality and then team in brackets) are contenders for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football 2014:
Philippe Bergeroo (France/France national team), Peter Dedevbo (Nigeria/Nigeria U-20 national team), Laura Harvey (England/Seattle Reign FC), Ralf Kellermann (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team), Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/Sweden national team), Asako Takemoto Takakura (Japan/Japan U-17 national team), Jorge Vilda (Spain/Spain U-17 national team and U-19 national team), Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany/Switzerland national team).

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Moscow hosts meeting of Russia 2018 LOC Supervisory Board


2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Official Emblem revealed

 

28 October 2014 20:40 CET

Moscow has played host to the third meeting of the Supervisory Board of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Local Organising Committee, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For the first time ever, the Russia 2018 LOC Supervisory Board adopted an expanded format, with both FIFA President Blatter and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke taking part as guests of the Board meeting while visiting Moscow for the presentation of the Russia 2018 official emblem. Also taking part were Igor Shuvalov, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister; Vitaly Mutko, Chairman of the Russia 2018 LOC and Russian Sports Minister; Alexey Sorokin, Chief Executive of the Russia 2018 LOC; ministers from the relevant federal ministries and government departments involved in preparations for the World Cup; leaders from the tournament's host regions; and representatives of the football community and business.
Ahead of the Supervisory Board meeting, Vladimir Putin visited the Luzhniki stadium, the main arena for Russia 2018, which will host the tournament's opening match and the final. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin briefed the Russian head of state on the arena's reconstruction, and on work to modernise the complex in time for 2018.
"Today President Blatter and I have been to the Luzhniki stadium reconstruction site and were convinced that all work required is being carried out as planned," said Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. "It is important that the pace of work at other World Cup venues also corresponds to what has been scheduled, to provide for those coming to watch and take part in the tournament. There is no doubt in my mind that Russia will deliver everything on time and to the quality expected. We already have experience of hosting the Winter Olympics, the Universiade, and a whole range of global and continent-wide championships. All of this experience should be borne in mind," he added.
Categories:2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Luis Suarez debut ends in defeat as Lionel Messi is beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in El Clasico


Luis Suarez is tackled during a frustrating El Clasico for Barcelona's new striker as Real Madrid win at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona: Luis Suarez debut ends in defeat as Lionel Messi is beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in El Clasico

  • Neymar gave Barcelona the lead after just four minutes at the Bernabeu against La Liga rivals Real Madrid
  • Cristiano Ronaldo equalised with a penalty in the 35th minute after a handball in the box by Gerard Pique
  • Pepe gave Real Madrid the lead in the 51st minute before Karim Benzema made it 3-1 later in the second half

It is four months since Luis Suarez sunk his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini and absented himself from football for his brief sabbatical. On Saturday evening at the Bernabeu Stadium he re-emerged and time away had not withered him nor has psychiatric counselling dimmed his spirit. But good though he is, he cannot yet conjure miracles.
He may have added intensity, ferocity and guile to an already-formidable Barcelona attack – but as a collective unit on Saturday night they did not have the tools to stop Cristiano and Co.
The world’s most richly-decorated football match, which even in the absence of the injured Gareth Bale, still boasts a comfortable majority of the world’s top ten footballers, produced a spell-binding match of attacking intent which further suggests the balance of power in football’s universe in tilting in favour of Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo at present. 




Luis Suarez is tackled during a frustrating El Clasico for Barcelona's new striker as Real Madrid win at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Luis Suarez is tackled during a frustrating El Clasico for Barcelona's new striker as Real Madrid win at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the El Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday evening
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the El Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday evening
Lionel Messi (right) looks frustrated during the El Clasico match as Real Madrid's Ronaldo (left) beat his Barcelona opponent on Saturday
Lionel Messi (right) looks frustrated during the El Clasico match as Real Madrid's Ronaldo (left) beat his Barcelona opponent on Saturday
Messi struggled in the match and failed to score this chance against Real goalkeeper Iker Cassillas on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu
Messi struggled in the match and failed to score this chance against Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu
Messi couldn't get a goal past Real goalkeeper Casillas but his counterpart Ronaldo managed to score from the penalty spot
Messi couldn't get a goal past Real goalkeeper Casillas but his counterpart Ronaldo managed to score from the penalty spot
Real Madrid were welcomed to the match by a huge crowd of fans outside the Bernabeu ahead of their win over rivals Barcelona
Real Madrid were welcomed to the match by a huge crowd of fans outside the Bernabeu ahead of their win over rivals Barcelona

MATCH ZONE AND RATINGS

Real Madrid: Casillas 7, Carvajal 7, Ramos 6, Pepe 7, Marcelo 6, Kroos 7, Modric 7 (Arbeloa, 89), Isco 8 (Illarramendi, 83), Rodriguez 7, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 8 (Khedira, 86) 
Subs (not used): Navas, Varane, Hernandez, Nacho
Bookings: Carvajal, Ronaldo
Goals: Pepe (51), Ronaldo (Pen, 35) Benzema (61)
Barcelona: Bravo 7; Alves 7, Pique 7, Mascherano 6, Mathieu 6; Xavi 6 (Rakitic, 60), Busquets 6, Iniesta 6 (Roberto, 71); Messi 6, Suarez 8 (Pedro, 69), Neymar 8
Subs (not used): Ter Stegen, Bartra, Alba, Munir
Bookings: Messi, Neymar, Pique, Iniesta
Goals: Neymar (4)
Ratings by Pete Jenson 



Karim Benzema, scorer of the third goal, left the pitch to a standing ovation having led the way to a comprehensive victory which might have been more embarrassing for Barca. Of course, Ronaldo was a key contributor, as was Isco while Luka Modric and Toni Kroos meanwhile were simply magnificently neatly efficient at the base of midfield.
And while Suarez shone whilst his fitness allowed, Messi and Neymar flickered only in moments, Xavi looked a 34-year-old short of game time and Andres Iniesta made a rare, awful error to gift Real their third.
Indeed, when even with the game effectively over and the celebrations in full swings the Bernabeu groaned angrily at Marcelo for failing to play in Ronaldo for a fourth goal, Real’s dominance was clear. The game might be won but the crowd wanted more; they wanted humiliation. They contended themselves with a chorus of ‘Viva Espana.’ It was not a night for Catalan pride.
They will comfort themselves that they do at least have Suarez. He was excellent, given the time he has been away. ‘I’m happy to be back playing,’ he said afterwards. ‘It’s a big relief and I’m happy that the time has passed. It’s a bittersweet feeling because of the result but this side has come back many a time. ‘It is very difficult to play here but I did the things that I could. Everyone knows how clasicos are played, the first few minutes are hard, but football is like that. They played well on the counter after we went ahead and they killed the game.’
After a tumultuous opening, Real Madrid did indeed kill the game. The ‘King of Kings’ banner celebrating Real Madrid’s ten European Cups had barely been put away, the music had only just died down, when the tiny knot of Barcelona fans were celebrating in the far corner of the Bernabeu inside three minutes.
The goal sparked a frenetic response from Real Madrid. ‘I was surprised at the level at which we could play so soon after the Liverpool game,’ said a satisfied Carlo Anecotti. ‘This is a serious team and they sacrifice themselves for each other.’ Indeed, this side is much more than a collection of galaticos; Ancelotti has created a balance that is truly impressive.
Even Leo Messi, cowed on the night, seemed unnerved, crashing into Toni Kroos early on and earning a yellow card, the first of four Barca would accumulate in that first half. Ronaldo was at the heart of Real’s early best efforts, crossing on 11 minutes for Benzema, whose header crashed off the bar and whose strike from rebound blazed over.
The game was infused with attacking talent, but the finishing didn’t always match. Suarez sent in a delicious cross and Messi, from six yards out, missed. Neymar, similarly, mis-kicked from four yards out. 





Neymar gave Barcelona the lead after just four minutes with Suarez providing the assist at the Bernabeu
Neymar gave Barcelona the lead after just four minutes with Suarez providing the assist at the Bernabeu
Neymar and Messi celebrate Barcelona taking the lead against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Neymar and Messi celebrate Barcelona taking the lead against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Barcelona held the lead until the 35th minute after Neymar's early goal in the El Clasico tie against Real Madrid
Barcelona held the lead until the 35th minute after Neymar's early goal in the El Clasico tie against Real Madrid
Neymar celebrates his goal against Real Madrid but Barcelona could not hold on to their lead in the La Liga clash
Neymar celebrates his goal against Real Madrid but Barcelona could not hold on to their lead in the La Liga clash
Ronaldo looks frustrated after Real Madrid go 1-0 down but the former Manchester United player soon got his own goal
Ronaldo looks frustrated after Real Madrid go 1-0 down but the former Manchester United player soon got his own goal
Real Madrid had to re-establish their grip on the game and they did so through right back Marcelo driving into the penalty area on 34 minutes. His cross induced Gerard Pique to collapse to the ground and handle the ball. The penalty was inevitable as was the finish from Ronaldo: a crisp, unstoppable striker into the bottom right hand corner, his 16th this season in La Liga and we’re not even out of October.
Barcelona hadn’t conceded in the league this season, a record always unlikely to survive this outing and after the break Real were re-invigorated, flying forward on the counter attack on 47 minutes as Benzema released Ronaldo, with Pique sliding in to block for the corner.
No matter. Kroos trotted away to take the kick with precision that was signposted for Pepe at the far post. The Portuguese connected, heading the ball firmly into the bottom corner and the Bernabeu was itself again, full of noise and confidence. 





Ronaldo takes his penalty in the 35th minute to bring Real Madrid level in the El Clasico tie against Barcelona on Saturday
Ronaldo takes his penalty in the 35th minute to bring Real Madrid level in the El Clasico tie against Barcelona on Saturday
Ronaldo celebrates in typical style at the Bernabeu as the former Manchester United star equalises against Barcelona
Ronaldo celebrates in typical style at the Bernabeu as the former Manchester United star equalises against Barcelona
Ronaldo goes to his usual celebration after scoring against Barcelona to bring the teams level before half-time on Saturday evening
Ronaldo goes to his usual celebration after scoring against Barcelona to bring the teams level before half-time on Saturday evening
Barca did not immediately retreat. Sergio Ramos needed a crucial sliding clearance to prevent Messi from connecting with a pull back and Jeremy Mathieu hit a remarkable strike from 35 yards which Casillas dived to save spectacularly.
But the flow of the game was with Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Barca were creaking and Iniesta as good as confirmed the fact with an uncharacteristic lazy touch on the hour which allowed Isco to break and feed Ronaldo, who played in James. The Colombian touched the ball on to Benzema, who finished quite splendidly, pulling his shot across goal and past Claudio Bravo.
Barca’s suddenly appeared terribly brittle. Mascherano’s fine sliding challenge prevented Ronaldo adding to the scoring on 65 minutes. Dani Alves needed to do the same again, leaving the world player of the year in complaining, crumpled heap. Suarez departed on 68 minutes: he had run his course, done his best but ultimately in vain. He will come again, but Barca’s unbeaten record in Liga is over and their superiority complex severely punctured.



Real Madrid players react after Pepe gave them the lead against Barcelona on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid players react after Pepe gave them the lead against Barcelona on Saturday evening at the Bernabeu
Pepe (right) was able to gift Real Madrid an important lead against Barcelona in the El Clasico showdown on Saturday
Pepe (right) was able to gift Real Madrid an important lead against Barcelona in the El Clasico showdown on Saturday

Karim Benzema gives Real Madrid a 3-1 lead at the Bernabeu by slotting home beyond Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo
Karim Benzema gives Real Madrid a 3-1 lead at the Bernabeu by slotting home beyond Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo
Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Benzema celebrate sealing the El Clasico win at the Bernabeu in front of their own fans against Barcelona
Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Benzema celebrate sealing the El Clasico win at the Bernabeu in front of their own fans against Barcelona
 
Sky Sports shows La Liga as part of an unrivalled autumn of sport that includes Premier League, F1, ATP tennis, Autumn International rugby and UEFA Champions League 




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2807812/Real-Madrid-3-1-Barcelona-Luis-Suarez-debut-ends-defeat-Lionel-Messi-beaten-Cristiano-Ronaldo-El-Clasico.html#ixzz3HFj9pzMa
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THE ROAD TO CANADA 2015: New Zealand qualifies for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015



 

28 October 2014 | Le texte français suit le texte anglais | 28 octobre 2014
 

New Zealand is the 22nd nation to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™, booking its spot after winning the 2014 OFC Women's Nations Cup. New Zealand qualified after wrapping up the confederation tournament with three-straight wins.
New Zealand qualified on 29 October 2014 in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea (which because of the time difference, was still 28 October in parts of Canada). This marks the fifth time New Zealand has qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup™.
Only two spots remain, with four European teams fighting for one spot (UEFA) and Trinidad and Tobago and Ecuador fighting for the other (CONCACAF-CONMEBOL playoff). Later this week, the field of four European teams will be reduced to two (winners from the Italy-Ukraine and Netherlands-Scotland series).
The UEFA playoff will be decided on 27 November while the CONCACAF-CONMEBOL playoff will be decided on 2 December.
From more than 129 competing nations, 24 countries from around the world will take part in next summer's FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™. The Official Draw for the final competition will take place on 6 December 2014.
For more information on the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ Qualifiers, please visit FIFA.com.
QUALIFIED (22 of 24):
 

Canada (host)
Australia
Brazil
Cameroon
China PR
Colombia
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
England

France
Germany
Japan
Korea Republic
Mexico
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
USA

La Nouvelle-Zélande se qualifie pour la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™

La Nouvelle-Zélande est la 22e nation à se qualifier pour la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™. Le pays a obtenu son laissez-passer le mercredi 29 octobre lors de la finale de la Coupe d’Océanie de football féminin 2014.
La Nouvelle-Zélande a tout d’abord vaincu les Tonga et la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée avant de remporter la finale du championnat contre les Îles Cook.
La Nouvelle-Zélande remporte pour la huitième fois le Championnat de l’OFC, ce qui lui permettra donc d’obtenir une cinquième participation à la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA™.
Avec maintenant 22 nations qualifiées, il reste deux places en jeu pour la prochaine Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, et ces places seront allouées d’ici le 2 décembre, soit quatre jours avant le tirage au sort officiel. Une place est réservée pour une nation européenne (soit les Pays-Bas, l’Écosse, l’Italie ou l’Ukraine - les séries éliminatoires sont en cours). L’autre place sera décernée à une nation de la CONCACAF ou de l’Amérique du Sud (Trinidad-et-Tobago affrontera l’Équateur lors du match final le 2 décembre).
Des 129 nations participantes, le Canada sera parmi les 24 finalistes qui participeront à la Coupe du Monde féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ de l'an prochain. Le tirage au sort officiel aura lieu le 6 décembre dans la région de la capitale nationale du Canada
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les qualifications de la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™, visitez le site FIFA.com
QUALIFIÉES (22 de 24):
 

Canada (hôte)
Allemagne
Angleterre
Australie
Br
ésil
Cameroun
Colombie
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Espagne
France
Japon
Mexique
Nigeria
Norvège
Nouvelle-Zélande
République de CoréeRP Chine
Suède
Suisse
Thaïlande
USA

FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ 

The FIFA Women's World Cup is held every four years, with the next edition to be played in Canada in 2015. It marks the first major sporting event hosted in Canada from coast to coast, with matches to be played in: Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario; Montréal, Québec; and Moncton, New Brunswick.
More than 125 countries will participate in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ starting with Qualifiers in April 2013. The final competition - to be played from 6 June to 5 July 2015 in Canada - will feature the 24 best women's football teams from around the world.
The FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this country with 52 matches from coast to coast across Canada. The competition hopes to draw 1.5 million spectators through ticket sales while attracting a worldwide television audience of more than half a billion viewers. The competition will also engage terrific impact for our cities and provinces, with an estimated cumulative economic impact of $267 million.
The National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ features Victor Montagliani (chair), Steven Reed, Janine Helland, Doug Redmond, Clare Rustad, Walter Sieber and Peter Montopoli.

Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ 

La Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA™ se déroule aux quatre ans et la prochaine édition sera disputée au Canada en 2015. Ce tournoi marque la tenue du premier événement sportif d’envergure d’un océan à l’autre au Canada, avec des matchs disputés à Vancouver en Colombie-Britannique, Edmonton en Alberta, Winnipeg au Manitoba, Ottawa en Ontario, Montréal au Québec et Moncton au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Plus de 125 pays participeront à la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ depuis le début des qualifications en avril 2013. La phase finale qui sera disputée du 6 juin au 5 juillet 2015 réunira les 24 meilleures équipes nationales féminines de football de partout dans le monde.
La Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ sera certainement une expérience unique pour ce pays avec 52 matchs au programme d’un océan à l’autre. Les organisateurs espèrent attirer 1,5 million de spectateurs par la vente de billets tout en générant des auditoires de plus d’un demi-milliard de téléspectateurs. La compétition entraînera une incidence importante pour nos villes et nos provinces avec des répercussions économiques cumulées estimées à 267 millions $.
Le Comité organisateur national de la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ est composé de Victor Montagliani (président), Steven Reed, Janine Helland, Doug Redmond, Clare Rustad, Walter Sieber et Peter Montopoli.

CONTACTS

Richard Scott
Director Communications | Directeur, Communications
National Organising Committee | Comité organisateur national
Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ | FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ richard.scott@fwwc2015.ca
C 613.818.0305

Carrie Croft
Manager Communications | Gestionnaire, Communications
National Organising Committee | Comité organisateur national
FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ | Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA, Canada 2015™ carrie.croft@fwwc2015.ca
C 613.406.4986

For all questions pertaining to Canada's women's national team, please contact:
Pour toutes questions liées à l'Équipe du Canada Féminine du Canada, veuillez contacter:
Michèle Dion
Director Communications | Directeur, Communications
Canadian Soccer Association | Association canadienne de soccer
mdion@canadasoccer.com
C 613.857.0827
 

THE ROAD TO CANADA 2015: Canada WNT show a glimpse of World Cup potential against Japan


Canada Soccer eNews

 

28 October 2014
For just over 90 minutes at BC Place on Tuesday night, Canada’s women’s national team was the equal of the reigning World Champions Japan.
But when you take on the best teams in the world, those sorts of teams make the most of the chances that are given to them. That’s exactly what happened as Aya Sameshima scored with virtually the last kick of the game to give Japan a 3:2 win.
As was the case a few days in Edmonton, Japan showed the kind of top quality finishing that Canada is hoping to emulate when it matters most in eight months.
“I think in the first 15 minutes, we should have been two up. We had two great chances,” said Head Coach John Herdman. “I thought we started the game brightly the other day. We got caught with their quality in the first 10 minutes in Edmonton.”
Japans scoring didn’t so much come down to breaking down the Canadian tactics and outplaying the Canadians. Their opening goal was of the highest quality and the other two were chances off little mistakes.
They’re the sorts of mistakes that won’t need a vast adjustment in how the team plays but will hopefully get ironed out the more this team plays together. And with this team together for vast periods of time over the next eight months, the hope is that there will be much fewer little mistakes that can be exploited.
“We’re starting to see a different Canada now. At times we were able to take it to Japan,” said Herdman. “When you think back to the (2012) Olympics and we had three shots in the whole game and scored one goal. Tonight we had 12 shots.”

“We’re going to be there fighting. This team isn’t going to be too far away with all the preparation we do.”
READ MATCH REPORT: Canada WNT 2:3 Japan
 

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First game against Japan a starting point for Canada WNT’s growth

Posted on 25 October 2014 in Women's National Team / Olympic Team
Having only just gotten the full squad back together and with eight months until next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, Saturday’s women’s international friendly was always going to serve as a baseline for Canada’s women’s national team.
A 3:0 loss to the defending World Cup holders showed that Canada can hang in with the champions but the littlest of mistakes will be exploited.

“It was a bit rough,” admitted Head Coach John Herdman. “With the Japanese, as soon as you give them an inch, they take a yard with that quality that they have. In the first ten minutes we struggled to keep up with them—with their pace of the movement and the pace of the game.”
But after that initial spell where Canada conceded a goal, they responded well and, in many cases, were matching the Japanese blow for blow heading into the halftime break. Canada managed to create a few chances and know they’ll have to bury the chances they get against the best in the world because they won’t come too often.
When the teams played at the Olympics, a narrow 2:1 scoreline masked a Japanese performance that was more dominant than it was on Saturday. And the team knows that in the coming months they’ll be working hard to learn these lessons.
Those good periods are a glimpse of what can be built on over the winter and into 2015.
“Once we got a hold of it we actually showed what our potential is for that World Cup,” said Herdman. “For 30 or 40 minutes there in that first half there was a really solid showing by Canada.”

The team travels to Vancouver on Sunday and will get a quick chance to fix some of the things they need to work on as the two teams will play again Tuesday evening at BC Place Stadium.
READ MATCH REPORT: Canada WNT 0:3 Japan