Canada Falls to France in Final of Cyprus Women’s Cup

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Canada finished as runners-up at the 2012 Cyprus Women’s Cup after dropping an 0:2 decision to France. Marie-Laure Delie opened the scoring in the first half for the French before Louisa Necib converted a second-half penalty to give the French an insurance marker. The championship final was played at the G.S.Z. Stadium in Larnaka, Cyprus on Tuesday 6 March. 

This is the first time these two sides have met since France won 4:0 over Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011. In eight all-time meetings between the two sides, the record is even at three wins, two draws and three losses. 

France was knocking at the door for a good portion of the first half and eventually was rewarded. Delie picked up a loose ball after teammate Gaëtane Thiney dispossessed Canadian midfielder Desiree Scott. After dribbling on goal relatively on unmarked Delie let an unstoppable right footed shot go from 16-yards that hit the top corner in the 31st minute. 

France continued to hold the bulk of the possession and Canada’s defence fought hard to keep the French at bay. Eventually, the referee Jenny Palmqvist judged that Rhian Wilkinson brought down Sonia Bompastor. Necib stepped up to take the penalty and converted it in the 62nd minute, sending Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod the wrong way with the shot. 

Canada had a legitimate shout for a penalty just minutes later as Sophie Schmidt dribbled the ball into the area. While there was clear contact from a French defender, it was questioned whether it took place inside or outside the box. In the end, however, Schmidt was given neither and the referee waved play on. 

Canada’s first shot on goal of the game was also its best chance to reduce the deficit. Coming in the 78th minute, Christine Sinclair crossed a ball into the French 18-yard box from the left-hand side. Substitute Chelsea Buckland controlled the cross, spun and then unleashed a shot from 10 yards that was right at goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi in the French goal. 

Canada’s starting XI featured Erin McLeod in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Candace Chapman and Carmelina Moscato at centre back, Lauren Sesselmann at left back, and Kaylyn Kyle, Christina Julien, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi from the midfield up to the attack. 

In the second half, Canadian head coach John Herdman replaced Julien with Kelly Parker (46’), Sesselmann with Chelsea Stewart (60’), Tancredi with Chelsea Buckland (73’), and Kyle with Brittany Timko (87’). 

France’s starting XI featured Sarah Bouhaddi in goal, Corine Franco at right back, Ophélie Meilleroux and Wendie Renard at centre back and Sonia Bompastor at left back with Eugénie Le Sommer, Camille Abily, Elise Bussaglia, Gaëtane Thiney, Louisa Necib and Marie-Laure Delie from the midfield up to the attack. 

In the second half, French coach Bruno Bini replaced Delie with Elodie Thomis (75’), Thiney with Laure Boulleau (84′), and Le Sommer with Laura Georges (90+1’). 

Of note in the match, veteran Melissa Tancredi becomes the 16th player to make her 75th appearance for Canada.