WNT: Canada-Sweden [R]

[DJT]

Canada 1 Sweden 3

Spoiler warning: USA vs. China result in article below...

From http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2004/01/30/330195-cp.html:

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

SHENZHEN, China (AP) - Victoria Svensson scored a goal and narrowly missed another Sunday as Sweden powered its way to a 3-1 victory over Canada in the Four Nations women's soccer tournament.

In Sunday's other match, the United States and hosts China battled to a 0-0 draw.

Malin Mostrum opened scoring for the Swedes in the 33rd minute, driving the ball past Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc.

Svensson's goal came just six minutes later, a decisive blast from just inside the goalkeeper's box. Svensson struck again moments later, this time hitting the crossbar.

Therese Sjogran added a third goal midway through the second half, while Christine Sinclair salvaged some pride for Canada, tapping in the ball from the goalmouth after Swedish keeper Sofia Lundgren failed to keep her grip on it.

Swedish coach Marika Domanski Lyfors said she savored the win after a disappointing 3-0 battering by the Americans on Friday. The team's fitness had been in doubt with a half-dozen players struck down by colds and star forward Hanna Ljungberg, goalkeeper Caroline Johnsson and midfielder Malin Andersson already missing the tournament due to injuries.

"It was very important to win for our self confidence," Lyfors said.

Sweden, who were runners-up to Germany in last year's world cup, were cheered by a small but vocal contingent of Swedish fans who traveled from nearby Hong Kong for the game.

The Canadians seemed much improved over their disorganized performance against China on Friday.

"It was a game of missed opportunities," head coach Even Pellerud said after Sunday's match, in which Canada had several shots that went just wide.

In the hard-fought China-U.S. matchup, both sides traded several near-misses but weren't able to find the net.

Fan Yunjie continued to show the talent and leadership that have singled her out as China's emerging star following the retirement last year of captain Sun Wen, a past FIFA player of the year and a veteran of the team's 1999 Women's World Cup final defeat to the United States.

The American team was without key World Cup veterans, star forward Mia Hamm and defender Brandi Chastain, who are expected to return to the team for Olympic qualifying beginning Feb. 25 in Costa Rica.

U.S. coach April Heinrichs said she was pleased with the result, but added that both teams seemed tired by the tournament's demanding schedule of games every other day.

"To play China, to tie them, on the road in the middle of a tournament under the fatiguing factors, I'm pleased," said Heinrichs.

"We think China is one of the best teams in the world. We learn something every time we play them," she said.

The four teams are playing a round-robin format in this warmup for the Athens Olympics. The United States won the event last year.

The U.S. leads the tournament on goal differential after China downed Canada 2-1 in the tournament opener Friday.

The Canadians are without a point in the tournament.

A few hundred Chinese fans filled seats in the 40,000-seat Shenzhen Stadium under clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

[Elaine]

few pictures over at the Go Big Red!! thread of this game:

http://www.gobigred.ca/forum/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000051;p=1

elaine

[hamiltonfan]

http://canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=1597

Sweden Defeats Canada 3-1

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Women’s World Cup Team were defeated 3-1 by 2003 Women’s World Cup silver medalists, Sweden in Shenzhen, China PR on Sunday, February 1st, 2004, at the Four Nations Women’s Tournament.

Canada produced six open goal chances early in the game, but Sweden capitalized with a great shot by Malin Moström in the 33rd minute of play.

Sweden would seize a three goal lead with two additional goals scored by Victoria Svensson and Josefine Öqvist in the 40th and 71st minutes respectfully.

Forward Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, British Columbia put the ball into the net in the 76th minute for Canada’s lone goal of the match.

Goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek of Calgary, Alberta played 90 minutes for Canada.

Aysha Jamani of Calgary, Alberta and Marie-Eve Nault of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec both earned their first start and second cap with the senior team.

“This was a game of missed opportunities,” said head coach Even Pellerud. “Since the China game, our midfield had a much stronger game; partly due to a higher level of aggressiveness and also by setting up the strikers with better penetrating passing.”

“Brittany Timko was an offensive threat the whole game with well timed and penetrating runs while Sinclair and youngster Aysha Jamani looked dangerous from the beginning to the end. We are still not consistent in either defense or attack. These games are definitely helping us in the right direction, there are some tiered legs in the camp now but I am confident we will give the United States a good fight in the last game on Tuesday.”

Canada’s final game of the tournament is against the United States on Tuesday, February 3rd. The United States have not lost in their two previous games played at this tournament.

Results

01/30/04 USA vs Sweden (3:0)

China PR vs Canada (2:1)

02/01/04 Sweden vs Canada (3:1)

China PR vs USA (0:0)

Remaining Games

02/03/04 USA vs Canada

China PR vs Sweden

February 1, 2004 – Four Nation Women’s Tournament - China

Shenzhen Stadium - Shenzhen, China

Canada 1 (0)

Sweden 3 (2)

Goals: Canada – Christine Sinclair (76); Sweden – Malin Moström (33); Victoria Svensson (40); Josefine Öqvist (71)

Canada: 22-Taryn Swiatek; 11-Randee Hermus (17-Tanya Dennis, 77); 5-Andrea Neil (13-Diana Matheson, 60); 10-Charmaine Hooper; 14-Aysha Jamani; 15-Veronique Maranda (9-Rhian Wilkinson, 70); 3-Carmelina Moscato; 2-Marie-Eve Nault; 6-Sharolta Nonen; 12-Christine Sinclair; 16-Brittany Timko (7–Isabelle Morneau, 82); Head coach: Even Pellerud.

Not a good result in either game for Canada. Hopefully we can play better and put the ball in the net against the US for our last game.