Deanne Rose (white jersey), just 16-years-old, scored two goals to help Canada defeat Guyana in the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 11, 2016, in Houston, Texas. (Photo: Mexsport)
HOUSTON – Ashley Lawrence scored three goals and Deanne Rose added two as Canada posted a 5-0 win over Guyana in the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship (CWOQ) debut for each on Thursday at BBVA Compass Stadium.The result lifted the Canadians into first place in Group B on goal difference over Trinidad & Tobago, which rallied to beat Guatemala, 2-1, earlier in the evening.
Even though Canada didn’t equal the score of its previous competitive meeting with the Guyanese – an 8-0 triumph in the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Championship – it turned in an impressive performance, while improving to 4-0-0 in CWOQ openers.
Rose, just 16-years-old, put the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist ahead 1-0 in the 25th minute, instinctively using her right foot to flick in Sophie Schmidt’s header with her back to the goal from two-yards out.
With her first goal of the night, Lawrence doubled the advantage three minutes later. The 20-year-old West Virginia University standout netted by heading home a Christine Sinclair corner kick. Sinclair was the top scorer in the 2012 CWOQ with nine goals and three assists. She didn’t score against the Guyanese, but another assist was to come later.
Schmidt notched her second assist in the 40th minute, threading a splendid through ball from the middle into the path of Rose. After outracing defender Kayla De Souza into the right side of the box, the forward unleashed a low, right-footed shot into the net off the far post.
Canada emerged from the break in an attacking mood and Lawrence was the beneficiary, striking twice more in quick succession.
In the 46th minute, the 20-year-old used her head another time to power Rose’s right-sided cross into the back of the net and make it 4-0.
Lawrence, Rose and Sinclair linked in perfect unison two minutes afterwards to complete the scoreline. Once again, Rose delivered a right-sided cross into the middle of the box, allowing Sinclair to get position and lay off the ball for Lawrence, who drilled a right-footed from 13-yards out into the left side of the net.
Realizing victory was well in hand, Canada head coach John Herdman started to sub, eventually giving youngsters Jessie Fleming (17), Nichelle Prince (20) and Gabrielle Carle (17) their first taste of competitive CONCACAF football at the full international level.
Both sides return to action on Sunday, as Guyana takes on Guatemala and Canada meets Trinidad & Tobago.
CWOQ: Canada vs. Guyana
Canada vs. Guyana, February 11, 2016 (Photo: Mexsport)
Canada vs. Guyana, February 11, 2016 (Photo: Mexsport)
Champions League
RELATED NEWS YOU'LL LIKE
WCQ Recap: Third Round, Second Leg
On a night that saw Jamaica and Guatemala recover from first-leg deficits, the third round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup concluded Tuesday with six sides advancing to the first group stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment