Canadian women win U-17 soccer friendly match in Chile

Canada’s women’s U-17 team won 2:0 over Chile in an international friendly match in Santiago, Chile. Canada won the match played at the Estadio Bicentenario de la Florida, which comes near the close of a 10-day camp in Chile. Captain Nicole Setterlund and player of the match Charlène Achille scored for Canada.

"It was a much stronger performance by the team," said national women’s U-17 coach Bryan Rosenfeld. "We were far better physically and mentally."

Canada, whose title sponsor is BMO Financial Group, is currently preparing for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010. This was Canada’s last selection camp before the final cuts take place in mid August and the competition begins in September. This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup runs 5-25 September.

Coach Rosenfeld used a different lineup for this match. The starting XI featured Rachelle Beanlands in goal, Ally Courtnall at right back, Alison Clarke and Nicole Setterlund at centre back, Sophie Therien at left back, Jade Kovacevic, Chantale Campbell and Diamond Simpson at midfield, and Abigail Raymer, Haisha Cantave and Charlène Achille up front.

From the start of the match, it took Canada about 10 minutes before it started to play its game. After the players realized they could "be themselves and just compete", Canada took over the flow of the game and dominated through to the finish.

In the 26th minute, Canada scored its first goal off a wide free kick. Campbell delivered the kick and Setterlund provided the header for the 1-0 Canadian lead.

In the second half, substitute Ashley Lawrence made a good run down the left, cut the ball back into the box, and Achille finished the opportunity for a 2-0 lead. The second goal was scored in the 79th minute.

Coach Rosenfeld felt the team could have capitalized on more chances, but was pleased with the overall performance.

"They all worked hard and followed the game plan," said Rosenfeld. "Perhaps on another day we would have put more in the back of the net."

Canada’s second half substitutions were Cantave off for Kinley McNicoll (46th minute), Courtnall off for Vanessa Kovacs (62′), Kovacevic off for Kylie Davis (67′), Raymer off for Ashley Lawrence (75′), and Achille off for Zakiya McIntosh (84′).

Canada has a couple more days of training in Santiago and then will return home on Tuesday. The players will have a couple of weeks back with their clubs before coach Rosenfeld announces his final team on 16 August. The team will be back together on 24 August in the final preparation before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010.