Canada wins soccer friendly in Hungary

Canada won 1:0 over Hungary in a Women’s International Friendly match this Tuesday 7 June 2011 in Telki, Hungary. Veteran Diana Matheson scored in the 87th minute, helping Canada improve to nine wins, one draw and two losses this 2011 season.

The goal was Matheson’s 10th of her international career, making her the 10th player to reach double digits for Canada. Also of note in the match, Brittany Timko made her 100th appearance for Canada (she also served as captain) while Jodi-Ann Robinson made her 50th appearance.

The play was fairly even throughout the first half, but then Canada took command in the second half and eventually found the back of the net in the 87th minute. Matheson’s goal, assisted by Jonelle Filigno, was scored on Hungarian goalkeeper Réka,  he had come up big with two or three key saves earlier in the match.

On the goal, Moscato cleared the ball from the top of Canada’s 18-yard box down the left flank just past the centre line. Robinson won the ball after one bounce, played a square ball to Chelsea Buckland who then made a diagonal pass to Filigno. Filigno turned toward goal and played the ball to Matheson at the top of the Hungarian 18-yard box. Matheson took a couple of touches and then slotted it along the ground to the right of Szabo just inside the post.

Canada’s starting XI in the match featured Karina LeBlanc in goal, Melanie Booth, Carmelina Moscato, Robyn Gayle and Rhian Wilkinson at defence, and Brittany Timko, Jonelle Filigno, Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson, Kaylyn Kyle and Christina Julien from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Carolina Morace made five substitutions. She replaced Booth for Emily Zurrer (46th minute), Kyle for Chelsea Stewart (46′), Julien for Jodi-Ann Robinson (58′), Timko for Desiree Scott (64′), and Schmidt for Chelsea Buckland (81′).

Hungary’s starting XI in the match featured Réka in goal, Boglárka Szabó, Tímea Gál, Szilvia Szeitl and Boglárka Megyeri at defence, Zsanett Jakabfi, Angéla Smuczer, Zsófia Rácz and Réka Jakab at midfield, and Anita Pádár and Rita Méry up front.

In the second half, coach László Kiss replaced Megyeri for Dóra Papp (64′), Jakabfi for Cecília Gáspár (64′), Jakab for Mónika Benkő (71′), Méry for Katalin Fogl (76′), and Rácz for Nikolett Szórádi (89′).

The match was played in front of approximately 150 fans at Globall SportPark.