Oh, Canada…
Janine Beckie scored her second goal in as many matches in the 65th minute to send Canada through to the quarter finals of the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup. It wasn’t an ugly match, but it wasn’t a particularly pretty game from the Canadians. Luckily this tournament isn’t dictated by style points
Canada received both good and bad news prior to the match.
Good news: Korea DPRs dangerous striker Ri Un Sim would start on the bench.
Bad news: Jessie Flemming picked up a knock in training and would not be available.
With that being said, the game plan for Canada was the same; start stronger in the first half and finish chances. They managed to follow through on one of those points: The Canadians kept North Koreans off of the score sheet.
The biggest scare came in the 17th minute when the visitors took possession off of a turnover in the middle of the pitch. However the resulting chance sailed high and wide.
Canada’s only real opportunity before break came late in the half. Ashley Lawrence sent a cross to Valarie Sanderson whose header was saved comfortably by Korean keeper Kim Chol Ok. However, for the first time in the tournament Canada didn’t concede a goal at the half.
The level half was welcomed change after such disappointing starts in Canada’s two previous games. But it wasn’t a very inspired 45 minutes by the Canadians as North Korea controlled most of the play.
Ri Un Sim was subbed in early in the second frame but the Canadians pressed on. They emerged more organized. Their next opportunity came in the 56th minute. Nichelle Prince fought through inside the box but despite a challenge, managed to get up and feed the ball towards Sanderson. Prince’s attempted pass was cut off by the Korean defense.
Janine Beckie broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. Montreal Native Amandine Pierre-Louis sent a ball up to Prince who crossed it to an unmarked Beckie for the easy tap in.
The 13,031 fans at the Olympic Stadium could be heard as news about Ghana and Finland match was announced. As the Game drew to a close Finland saw a 1-0 lead disappear and Ghana control 2-1. Canada needed to ensure that didn’t concede or their hopes of advancing would have been crushed.
Fortunately the hosts held on and silenced North Korea 1-0.
The goal scorer Beckie spoke about what it took to get her team this far, “Take it one game at a time. That was our goal and we keep going from here. We live our Canadian DNA. We’re work horses and we never give up.”
Despite the loss Korea DPR top Group A based on goal differential. They’ll battle USA at The National Soccer Stadium in Toronto in the first quarter final tilt.
Canada faces Group B winners Germany Saturday August 16th at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Germany scored 12 goals in group play but also conceded six, five of those at the hands of China.
This will be a massive test for the young Canadians. The Germans, like the senior men were in Brazil, have been the class of the tournament. Still, the young Canucksvare in with a chance: just three wins away from a world title.