Canada beat Costa Rica to win the group and avoid the United States in the semis
July 11 – Canada cruised to a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in their final group game on a hot and sticky night at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey to secure top spot in their group and miss the United States meeting in the semi-finals later this week.
It was another convincing victory for the Canadian Olympic champions who didn't convert all their opportunities into goals, but showed they could break a stubborn defensive line. Costa Rica competed, but rarely threatened. The danger for them is to be treated in the semi-finals by the power of the American juggernaut.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman has made four changes to the starting lineup since Panama's 1-0 win. Costa Rica's Amelia Valverde, who maintained her 11th start in her opening two matches, making just one change for this match, bringing in Daniel Solera.
Before the game, Priestman said his team needed to find a rhythm, after being frustrated by a Panamanian team stopping the game at every opportunity.
Canada started the brighter of the two teams with Janine Beckie heading wide after two minutes, Vanessa Gilles heading in a corner over a minute later.
Within 4 minutes, Canada had the quick start they were looking for. Jessie Fleming was challenged to calmly beat Costa Rican keeper Daniela Solera. They should have been two in 10 minutes, but Nichelle Prince, 3 yards out, could only get the ball into Solera's legs.
With near total control of the ball in Costa Rica's half, Canada began to create chances. In the 22nd minute, Beckie, a persistent threat from the right, should have done better with a ball she lifted over Solera and her goal. She did the same at the end of the half, latching on to a loose ball 6m but exploding over it.
That was the halftime story. Canadian control created opening after opening, but the final ball was woefully not quite fair or the killing blow was missing.
With the score 1-0 at halftime, Costa Rica, having played most of the half on the back foot, were still in the game.
Priestman changed his forward line early in the second half, bringing in OL Reign's Jordy Huitema and West Ham's Adriana Leon. Leon brought more attacking options down the left but there was still no finisher in the middle.
With the temperature still in the 80s, Costa Rica found a play that challenged Canada's control of the game. But not for long.
In the 68th minute, Carol Sanchez had a shot from outside the penalty area caught by Sheridan who immediately sent Canada to the other end where the ball eventually found midfielder Sophie Schmidt with enough space in the area to complete his shot with the right hand post.
It should have been 3-0 in 84 minutes with Huitema missing a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and the rebound hitting Leon and then onto the post. Huitema failed again in the 87th minute, gently kicking the ball into the hands of Solera.
It was that kind of night. At some point, the margins that currently fall on the wrong side for the Olympic champions will fall on the right side.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1657663202labto1657663202ofdlr1657663202owedi1657663202sni@n1657663202osloh1657663202cin.l1657663202uap1657663202
July 11 – Canada cruised to a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in their final group game on a hot and sticky night at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey to secure top spot in their group and miss the United States meeting in the semi-finals later this week.
It was another convincing victory for the Canadian Olympic champions who didn't convert all their opportunities into goals, but showed they could break a stubborn defensive line. Costa Rica competed, but rarely threatened. The danger for them is to be treated in the semi-finals by the power of the American juggernaut.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman has made four changes to the starting lineup since Panama's 1-0 win. Costa Rica's Amelia Valverde, who maintained her 11th start in her opening two matches, making just one change for this match, bringing in Daniel Solera.
Before the game, Priestman said his team needed to find a rhythm, after being frustrated by a Panamanian team stopping the game at every opportunity.
Canada started the brighter of the two teams with Janine Beckie heading wide after two minutes, Vanessa Gilles heading in a corner over a minute later.
Within 4 minutes, Canada had the quick start they were looking for. Jessie Fleming was challenged to calmly beat Costa Rican keeper Daniela Solera. They should have been two in 10 minutes, but Nichelle Prince, 3 yards out, could only get the ball into Solera's legs.
With near total control of the ball in Costa Rica's half, Canada began to create chances. In the 22nd minute, Beckie, a persistent threat from the right, should have done better with a ball she lifted over Solera and her goal. She did the same at the end of the half, latching on to a loose ball 6m but exploding over it.
That was the halftime story. Canadian control created opening after opening, but the final ball was woefully not quite fair or the killing blow was missing.
With the score 1-0 at halftime, Costa Rica, having played most of the half on the back foot, were still in the game.
Priestman changed his forward line early in the second half, bringing in OL Reign's Jordy Huitema and West Ham's Adriana Leon. Leon brought more attacking options down the left but there was still no finisher in the middle.
With the temperature still in the 80s, Costa Rica found a play that challenged Canada's control of the game. But not for long.
In the 68th minute, Carol Sanchez had a shot from outside the penalty area caught by Sheridan who immediately sent Canada to the other end where the ball eventually found midfielder Sophie Schmidt with enough space in the area to complete his shot with the right hand post.
It should have been 3-0 in 84 minutes with Huitema missing a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and the rebound hitting Leon and then onto the post. Huitema failed again in the 87th minute, gently kicking the ball into the hands of Solera.
It was that kind of night. At some point, the margins that currently fall on the wrong side for the Olympic champions will fall on the right side.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1657663202labto1657663202ofdlr1657663202owedi1657663202sni@n1657663202osloh1657663202cin.l1657663202uap1657663202
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