Canada’s FIFA U-17 Women’s team wins last match before heading to Trinidad and Tobago

Canada’s women’s U-17 presented by BMO defeated Korea Republic 2:0 in its last international friendly before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010. The young Canucks jumped out to an early advantage scoring just two minutes into the match. Canada completed the scoring with a second goal six minutes before half time.

“I thought it was a well organized, disciplined effort by our squad,” said head coach Bryan Rosenfeld. “The players stuck to the game plan very well. We capitalized on our opportunities in the first half and we were able to shut down the Koreans in the second half. Overall I am happy with the team but I know we can be better.“

Rosenfeld’s starting XI featured Rachelle Beanlands in goal, Charlène Achille at left back, Alison Clarke and Nicole Setterlund at centre back, Vanessa Kovacs at right back, Diamond Simpson, Chantale Campbell and Ashley Lawrence in a three player midfield, and Abigail Raymer, Haisha Cantave, and Caroline Beaulne up front.

Canada’s Lawrence scored the opening goal of the match in what was a terrific start by Canada. Cantave made a great diagonal run down the Korean right and drove strongly towards the goal. She managed to look up and played a perfect pass into the onrushing Lawrence who tapped in from three yards out.

Cantave completed a good half for Canada with a goal of her own in the 39th minute. This time Cantave held off two defenders as she broke through the Korean defence. She kept her composure and drove a shot off the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner.

Up by two goals at half time Canada played an organized and disciplined second half, frustrating the dangerous Koreans.

Rosenfeld made four substitutions in the match; Kovacs was replaced by Jade Kovacevic in the 35th minute, Cantave was replaced by Kinley McNicoll at half time, and Lawrence and Beaulne were replaced by Nour Ghoneim and Zakiya McIntosh in the 69th.

Canada is making its final preparations in Florida for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010. Following the victory over Korea, Canada will train for three more days in Sunrise, Florida before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday evening.

Canada opens its tournament against Ghana on 6 September. Its other Group D matches are against Republic of Ireland on 9 September and Brazil on 13 September.

2010 will mark Canada’s second consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following its participation at New Zealand 2008.