Canada WNT perfect at Cyprus Cup after physical win 3-1 over Italy

Canada WNT perfect at Cyprus Cup after physical win 3-1 over Italy

7 March 2014

They got some bumps and bruises to show for it but Canada’s Women’s National Team is just one point away from yet another Cyprus Cup final.

They were expecting plenty of physical play from Italy and the Italians didn’t disappoint seeing one player sent off for two yellow cards and another caution given out but Canada hit Italy where it hurts, scoring the game’s first three goals in a 3:1 win.

“That’s one of the things we know about the Italian team,” said Diana Matheson, who scored and set up Adriana Leon’s goal in the first half. “There are a few teams out there that you know it’s not just going to be physical, it’s going to be chippy and it’s one of those teams and it was definitely like that today.”

Midfielder Sophie Schmidt appeared to take an elbow and had to come out with a gash on her cheek but she was in good spirits after the game while sporting a new bandage.

Christine Sinclair also was rather unceremoniously bundled over by Elisa Bartoli, who picked up her first of two yellow cards on the night. The second came late in the game after Diana Matheson had already won a free kick and Bartoli just plowed into Matheson, who had just gotten back onto her feet.

“Sophie Schmidt’s walked off with a bit of an elbow in the face and I think in the last 10 minutes, the players were just hoping for the referee to blow the whistle so that they could actually come off with their legs intact,” said Head Coach John Herdman, who coached his 50th game for Canada on Friday. “It did get a bit messy but credit to the girls, they didn’t really get involved in that but they matched things physically. I like to think we kept it above board for as long as she could.”

Canada plays England on Monday at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. A tie puts Canada into the final and will see England relegated to second in the group as Canada has more goals scored.

READ MATCH REPORT: CANADA WNT 3:1 ITALY

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Soccer world celebrates International Women's Day

8 March 2014

To mark 2014 International Women's Day, an expanded and all women's football edition of FIFA Weekly has been published for 8 March. The magazine - available in four languages - looks at all sides of the beautiful game, from clubs and nations to the players, coaches and fans.

Notes FIFA President Joseph Blatter in his weekly column, "women should be taking on an even more important role in coaching and management. Gender equality must be advanced in every area and at every level.” The FIFA President goes on to say that the recent addition of three women - Sonia Bien-Aime, Moya Dodd and Lydia Nsekera - on the FIFA Executive Committee has been an important step for FIFA.

Football is the number-one sport played by women all over the world. Over the next two years, much of the focus is on Canada, with national teams from more than 125 countries focused on the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015.
From 6 June to 5 July 2015, the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 is expected to draw over ‎1.5-million spectators over the course of a 52-match schedule. The matches will be broadcast all over the world, too, with 62.8 million having watched the last FIFA Women's World Cup final on 17 July 2011.
Ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, Canada will host the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup from 5-24 August. Between the two FIFA competitions, more than $339-million is expected to be generated in economic impact.
The latest women’s football updates can be found on FIFA.com and on dedicate social media platforms: www.facebook.com/fifawomensworldcup and @fifawwc

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FIFA WEEKLY
The FIFA Weekly takes an in-depth look at one of the most successful women’s club teams in recent times – Olympique Lyonnais – while also profiling some of the pioneers of women’s football including Steffi Jones, capped 111 times for Germany, who shares her thoughts on gender equality, racism and homophobia.
Nigerian international Perpetua Nkwocha gives a personal account of overcoming every kind of challenge, including being beaten by her father in an attempt to stop her playing, to reach two FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and three Olympics before finding a new home in Sweden.
The special edition covers more stories from Costa Rica, England, Sierra Leone, Sweden and USA while also looking ahead to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.
As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, FIFA is also organising a ‘Live Your Goals’ festival on Saturday 8 March in Costa Rica where the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick-off. Launched at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, the Live Your Goals campaign was developed as part of FIFA’s long-term commitment to supporting women’s football worldwide and encouraging more girls and young women to participate in the sport.
The FIFA Weekly is available now at the direct links four languages: English | Español | Français | Deutsch

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QUOTES FROM FIFA WEEKLY
"For us women, (International Women's Day) is an important day - many strong women fought for emancipation. For this reason, also because many women still have to fight for their rights in many countries, I'm thankful for this day."
- Steffi Jones, Germany, FIFA Women's World Cup champion
"Without doubt, it was the launch of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991 (that triggered the interest in the sport for women and girls across the globe). That tournament gave the sport a huge boost and prompted governing bodies to invest in women's football. .. Sport is a great tool for social integration and for boosting self confidence."
- Pia Sundhage, 2012 FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football
"Winning the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011 gave the women's game in Japan a real boost. Girls flocked to join football clubs."
- Saki Kumagai, Japan, FIFA Women's World Cup champion
"Football has broadened my horizons. .. The highlights of my career were without doubt (the times) I represented the Nigerian national team at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and 2007 as well as the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008."
- Perpetua Nkwocha, Nigeria, four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year
"You cannot take away a girl's right to express herself the way she wants. We've talked to quite a lot people around in France, especially parents who used to find it difficult bringing their daughters to football. That is nothing unusual nowadays."
- Wendie Renard, France, UEFA Champions League winner
"I hope they really enjoy (the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2014) and that they pave the way for the growth of women's football."
- Maria Elena Valverde, 86, Costa Rica, former player and women's football pioneer
"Hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup in my own country will be the highlight of my career. Chances like that don't ever come around again."
- Christine Sinclair, Canadian captain and 11-time Canadian Player of the Year

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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, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. The FIFA Women's World Cup will feature the 24 best women's football teams in the world.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ will be preceded one year earlier by the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, one of two FIFA women’s youth tournaments. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup returns to Canada for the first time since 2002. The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 will feature 16 teams featuring players born 1994 or later.

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.