Championnat du Monde de Football Feminin U-19 de la FIFA

NEWS

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August 31, 2002

Dramatic match ends in Canadian success from the spot

by Colin A. Aldis

Brazil v Canada, Edmonton, August 29, 2002

There were so many talking points from this match, that it is difficult to know where to start. Which ever way you looked, there was all the emotion and dramatic moments for stories to linger beyond the tournament end.

For the home officials and fans, their team had gone further in a world tournament than ever before, proving that the introduction of a world champion winning coach was beginning to pay off. This should not distract anything away from the fantastic performance of the players, especially as most of them will have grown up in a non soccer environment. Also they have found a coach, who has top level playing experience, and there is so much mutual respect between them, that all records could be broken in the future.

The difference in styles between the two teams also added to the intrigue and the drama. Brazil have brought in a former professional player to help their development, added to which, and very unusually he has the highest academic qualifications in sports science. So it was silky skills versus a more direct and combative style, but the Brazilians also showed that they can compete strongly, which did surprise the home team. In an earlier match, the South American players seemed to make a 'meal' of injury situations, but this time, there was little evidence of it.

Sadly afterwards, there was a lot of discussion about the referee,
and it was no surprise that this match was a difficult one. Only time will tell if FIFA may change any rules or make certain recommendations after reviewing some of the un-savoury moments, which could have boiled over. Most of the controversy stemmed from penalty decisions, one was given and one was not, both going in favour of Canada, although in golden-goal extra-time, Christine Sinclair missed the chance to win it, when her spot kick was brilliantly pushed away by Giselle. The Canadian captain had just been charged over by Daiane, many believing it was a harsh decision (although technically correct), such that there was a series of words between the players and with the referee, and even included one of the Brazilian coaches entering the field from behind the goal. Just one yellow card was shown, where it would have been so easy to over-react, and do more. With so much 'nonsense' going on, only a review of the incidents via reports and video, will decide if more action should be taken. The coach has since been suspended, as he came onto the pitch more than once, and was spotted by the 4th official, but there was no mention of a fine.

With the FIFA President and all the CSA hierachy now in town, everyone is hoping the dream final will attract an enormous attendance.

The match started on a pleasant evening, knowing that the winner would meet USA in the final. Canada had an encouraging opening, and a free kick from the left by Carmelino Moscato allowed Clare Rustad to head the ball goalwards, but Giselle did a great job to push the ball away. Brazil captain Daniela then curled a free kick just over the bar, and soon after, she was cautioned for pulling back Candace Chapman. The physical struggle showed itself with Kara Lang having to leave the pitch with a bloody nose, and then Carmelino Moscato had to leave with a serious leg injury, with a pre-cautionary visit to the hospital being required.

Towards the end of the first half, Daniela struck a great shot which was going just inside the left post, and Erin McCleod flew across to push the ball out for a corner. At the other end, Christine Sinclair lobbed the ball over Giselle towards goal, but Daiane hooked it away. In stoppage time, Canada took the lead, Melanie Booth sending a corner to the far post from the right, and Clare Rustad dived forward to head the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Brazil picked up the pace in the second half, and Cristiane had a shot blocked, and another just went over the bar. Marta showed her exceptional skill to get passed 3 opponents, and hit a curling shot towards the top right corner. Erin McCleod held and then lost it, and the ball fell behind the line, 1-1. Christine Sinclair had been relatively quiet, but late on, she sent over a cross from the left which hit the bar, and bounced to Kara Lang, but her low shot was blocked. At the same time she was tackled, and the stretcher was required to take her off.

So golden goal extra time was required, but after the Canadian penalty miss, Christine Sinclair had a chance with a header, but it flew over the bar. Just a few minutes from the end, Kelly was moving clear and into the area, and was clearly tripped by a tackle by Robyn Gayle, but the Finnish did not give anything.

So as coach Ian Bridge called it later, the crapshoot was needed, but after 2 by Brazil and one by Canada, it was still 0-0, but the next 7 spotkicks went in, with Candace Chapman (a local) fetting the vital goal.

The maple leaf flag was paraded around the pitch, and it was some time before the players could leave their adoring fans.

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