Canada wins 2011 Cyprus Women’s Cup

Canada won 2:1 after extra time to clinch its third Cyprus Women’s Cup title in four years. Emily Zurrer scored in the first period of extra time to give Canada a lead that it would not concede against tournament runner-up Netherlands. The Wednesday 9 March victory was played at Tassos Marcou Stadium in Paralimni, Cyprus in front of the players and staff from the 10 other teams in the competition.

Canada previously won the title in 2008 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2009. Netherlands had previously finished as high as third place, but was taking part in its first women’s final. The victory was Canada’s fifth consecutive win in 2011 and improved the team’s season record to six wins and one loss.

Forward Jonelle Filigno scored the opening goal in the 20th minute on a Dutch defensive miscue which, in fairness, was only a misplay because of the tough windy conditions. The Dutch were holding possession in the back end when a pass overshot its target and Filigno swooped in to intercept the ball. Filigno easily beat the goalkeeper Loes Geurts who had no chance on the play.

Netherlands leveled the score in the 40th minute on a run up by left back Claudia van den Heiligenberg, who was starting her second-straight match after replacing injured Petra Hogewoning in the starting XI. Van den Heiligenberg ran the ball up the left side before passing it back to Kirsten van de Ven above the box. Van den Heiligenberg then quickly repositioned herself at the top of the box adjacent to the defensive line, waiting to explode past the defence after van de Ven’s pass was made. In the box and alone, van den Heiligenberg beat McLeod to even the score 1-1.

In the second half, Canada played better, but no longer had the wind to its advantage. Netherlands also remained hungry with an eye on a first-ever Cyprus Cup trophy.

"We played better, but the wind was against us, so it was difficult to be precise with our passing," said Canadian national head coach Carolina Morace.

In the first half, Canada won three corner kicks while Netherlands won two. In between the goals, Canada had chances with a dangerous free kick by Christine Sinclair (too much wind sailed the shot high) and a hard shot by Melissa Tancredi (with a good save by Geurts). In the second half, there were far fewer chances and both defences remained resolute.

The best chance came in the 89th minute for Netherlands. Breaking the defensive line and penetrating the box, the Dutch made a quick pass into the middle, but then fired a glorious chance wide of the net. Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod was hurt on the play and thus was replaced by Stephanie Labbé. Coach Morace had nothing to lose in taking precaution because she knew she had two excellent goalkeepers on the bench.

"It was nothing serious, but we have three very good goalkeepers," said Morace. "Labbé went in and she did very well."

Labbé was indeed terrific in relief in extra time, especially on one hard shot by striker Manon Melis after the Dutch were down 0-1. Her counterpart Geurts was also sharp at the other end with a big save off Sophie Schmidt in the 99th minute.

It was that save off Schmidt, however, that led to the Canadian corner kick that resulted in the Zurrer goal. Diana Matheson fired the kick into the box and Zurrer first headed, then kicked the ball into the net. Zurrer’s teammates were all by her side to congratulate her on her second goal of the competition.

For the championship final, Canada’s starting XI featured Erin McLeod in goal, Marie-Eve Nault, Rhian Wilkinson, Emily Zurrer and Candace Chapman at defence, and Melissa Tancredi, Diana Matheson, Sophie Schmidt, Jonelle Filigno, Kaylyn Kyle and Christine Sinclair from the midfield up through to the attack.

Coach Morace made two substitutions in the second half and four more after the Zurrer goal. Kyle, McLeod, Tancredi, Filigno, Schmidt and Sinclair were replaced by Desiree Scott (82nd minute), Stephanie Labbé (89′), Carmelina Moscato (103′), Christina Julien (107′), Robyn Gayle (111′), and Chelsea Stewart (119′).

Netherlands’ starting Xi featured Loes Geurts in goal, Claudia van den Heiligenberg at left back, Daphne Koster and Mandy Van den Berg at centre back, Dyanne Bito at right back, and Anouk Hoogendijk, Sylvia Smit, Sherida Spitse, Manon Melis and Kirsten van de Ven from the midfield up through to the attack.

Coach Roger Reijners made four substitutions, one in the second half and three in extra time. He replaced Hoogendijk, Slegers, van den Berg and van de Ven with Marije Brummel (82′), Chantal de Ridder (91′), Marlous Pieëte (111′) and Leonne Stentler (111′).

Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, has won all eight matches in the last two editions of the Cyprus Women’s Cup. In four matches this year, Canada scored six goals and conceded just one. Today’s victory was also Canada’s second 2:1 victory over Netherlands in Cyprus Women’s Cup competition, having previously beat the Dutch side in group play of the 2009 competition.