Canada advances to semis after 2-0 victory over Mexico at Concacaf Olympic Qualifier
On Tuesday evening in Edinburg, Texas, Canada wrapped up pool play with a 2-0 win over Mexico.
Captain Christine Sinclair opened the scoring, finding the back of the net for her 186th goal at the 26′ mark.
https://twitter.com/Concacaf/status/1224845690314133506
READ: Looking back at Christine Sinclair’s journey to 185 goals
While Canada has enjoyed quick and dominant games so far at the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, it was another story against the Mexicans. Despite the slower game, Kenneth Heiner-Møller’s team was able to count on their solid defense to win and maintain their perfect 3-0 record in Group B.
Shelina Zadorsky scored Canada’s second goal from the goal line on a pass from Kadeisha Buchanan just before the end of the first half.
READ: How Team Canada athletes and Olympians reacted to Christine Sinclair’s historic goal
It the second half, Rebecca Quinn, Ashley Lawrence and Nichelle Prince all had scoring chances but their three attempts went over the Mexican crossbar.
Stephanie Labbé also shone in the latter half of the game, stopping a shot from the Mexicans in the 53rd minute of play.
https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1224857539214553088
There were no additional goals scored in the second half, giving Canada a 2-0 win, and the top spot in Group B.
Canada is now one win away from qualifying for Tokyo 2020. All the women need is a victory over Costa Rica in their semifinal matchup on Friday.
The women play Costa Rica on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Games are being streamed on OneSoccer in Canada.
Game 2: Canada 9-0 Jamaica
Canada secured a 9-0 victory over Jamaica on Saturday evening during game two of the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
After an exciting opening match on Wednesday, with Canada taking Saint Kitts and Nevis down 11-0 and Christine Sinclair breaking the international record with 185 goals, Team Canada was ready for game two of the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Jordyn Huitema opened the scoring after a number of offensive chances (10′). Shortly after Deanne Rose received a great cross from Janine Beckie for a 2-0 lead (15′). Beckie then buried one herself (44′) for a 3-0 advance to take the game to the next half.
https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1223759913731620865
Shortly after the whistle blew for the start of the second half, Beckie earned her second of the night to make it 4-0 (51′). Then, after Rose fought off a defender, she crossed the ball to Huitema who got a head on it for her second goal of the game for a 5-0 lead (55′).
https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1223770726051741697
Minutes later, Huitema (62′) and Beckie both earn a hat trick (66′) to make it 7-0. Huitema then picked up another two (80′) (90′) for the final 9-0 score.
Game 1: Canada 11-0 Saint Kitts and Nevis
The highlight of Canada’s tournament opener was Christine Sinclair finally surpassing Abby Wambach’s record of all-time international goals.
https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1222660528570544128
Sinclair tied Wambach’s record at the 7′ mark when she opened the scoring on a penalty kick. Then Adriana Leon and Ashley Lawrence added two more to Canada’s tally.
READ: Looking back at Christine Sinclair’s journey to 185 goals
At the 23′ mark, history was made when Sinclair scored her second goal of the game.
https://twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1222655203326988288
To end off the first half, Leon scored two more for a hat trick, while Jayde Riviere found the back of the net for her first goal of the game.
READ: Concacaf Championship standing between women’s soccer and Tokyo 2020
In the second half, Team Canada scored four more goals courtesy of Jessie Fleming (54′), Lawrence (57′), Jordyn Huitema, and Leon (80′).
