Canada Qualifies for Quarter-finals at London Olympics in Draw with Sweden

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Canada has qualified for the quarter-final stage of the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada qualified for the knock-out phase following an inspiring 2-2 draw with Sweden in the 31 July group finale. With four points after three matches, Canada is one of eight advancing teams after finishing third in Group F.

Melissa Tancredi’s second goal of the game coming in the last 10 minutes capped a two-goal comeback as Canada came away from Newcastle with a 2:2 draw with Sweden at St. James’ Park. The 31 July result means Canada is through to the quarter-final stage of the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Canada’s equalizer came with just six minutes remaining. Tancredi had missed a glorious opportunity in the first half on a cross from Christine Sinclair in the first half, but presented with the same opportunity in the second half she wasn’t going to make that mistake twice.

“I saw Christine making eye contact and I knew she was going to chip it in for me,” said Tancredi. “I put my body on the line and dived to put my head on it.”

Sinclair knocked in a cross from the left side and both Tancredi and Kaylyn Kyle were up for the header. Tancredi connected for the goal, her second of the game and fourth of the tournament.

Canada was made to pay for spurning a number of quality scoring chances in the early going as Sweden caught them with two quick-strike goals on what were essentially their first two shots at goal. In the 14th minute, Marie Hammarström found some space in the Canadian 18-yard box to run onto a cross from the right hand side and her left-footed shot gave Sweden the lead.

Before Canada could take a breath they found themselves down a second goal as Sweden capitalized on another cross into the box just two minutes later. This time it was the first goal-scorer Hammarström who was the provider as her cross from the left side was missed by Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod who tried to come off her line to claim it. The ball also got past a number of red shirts before Jacobsson doubled Sweden’s advantage.

Just three minutes before halftime, Tancredi got Canada’s first as Rhian Wilkinson provided a cross from the right side. Wilkinson masterfully made her way down the right side before playing give and go with Sinclair. Wilkinson then whipped the cross in and Tancredi got her right leg to it to give the Canadians momentum heading into halftime.

Canada fielded a starting XI with Erin McLeod in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Carmelina Moscato and Lauren Sesselmann at centre back and Marie-Eve Nault at left back. Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson, Christine Sinclair Melissa Tancredi and Jonelle Filigno made up the midfield and attack.

In the second half, Canadian head coach John Herdman replaced Foligno with Kaylyn Kyle (75’), Nault with Chelsea Stewart (86’) and Schmidt with Kelly Parker (88’).

Sweden had a starting lineup of Hedvig Lindahl in goal with Linda Sembrant, Emma Berglund, Sara Thunebro and Lina Nilsson on the back line. Nilla Fischer, Kosovare Asllani, Marie Hammarström, Caroline Seger, Sofia Jacobsson and Lotta Schellin were in the midfield and attack.

In the second half, Swedish head coach Thomas Dennerby replaced Fischer with Lisa Dahlqvist (53’), Asllani with Johanna Almgren (63’).

ADDITIONAL MATCH NOTES FROM NEWCASTLE

The Canada-Sweden match was played in front of 12,719 fans at St. James’ Park, home of Newcastle United FC. The match served as a homecoming for Canadian head coach John Herdman, who grew up a Newcastle United fan “through and through.” As a salute to their coach and the fans of Newcastle, the Canadian players warmed up in black (and white) shirts and stood for the national anthems in black jackets.

As for Tancredi, the two goals were the seventh and eighth of her 2012 campaign, a new personal best. It also marked the first time since 2008 that she has scored in three consecutive matches. While she now has 22 goals in her international career, today marked the first time she scored two goals in one match.

Also of note, both Desiree Scott and Marie-Eve made their 50th international appearance. Scott, who celebrated her 25th birthday, was Canada’s player of the match. Sophie Schmidt, meanwhile, made her 43rd consecutive appearance, tying Amy Walsh’s mark for the third longest streak in national-team history (behind Matheson’s streak of 45 matches and Randee Hermus’ streak of 46 matches). 

On 3 August, the four match-ups will be Sweden against France in Cardiff (12.00 local), USA against New Zealand in Glasgow (14.30 local), Brazil against Japan in Cardiff (17.00 local), and Great Britain against Canada in Coventry (19.30 local).

While Canada finished third in its group with a record of one win, one draw and one loss, Great Britain finished first in its group with a perfect record of three wins in three matches.