Canada flay ‘Lady Jags’ 8-0; advance to semis

Nov 01, 2010 Sports

---

By Franklin Wilson in Cancun, Mexico with the compliments of GT&T, Fazia’s Collection, Bakewell and Crown Mining Supplies

On another beautiful evening in Cancun Mexico, Canada hammered Guyana’s ‘Lady Jags’ 8-0 to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Woman’s World Cup Qualifying competition at the Estadio Beto Avila Stadium.
The young ‘Lady Jags’ team featuring six teenagers in the starting line-up was no match for the very experienced Maple Leafs who recorded their 11th consecutive win against Caribbean opposition following their 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game on Friday evening last.
This was the first meeting between these two sides and the Canadians were ultra aggressive from the whistle with the Guyanese being ultra defensive from the start.
Leading the goal charge for Canada was Christine Sinclair with a helmet-trick; Sinclair converting in the 34th, 50th, 63rd and 75th minute. First half substitute Jonelle Filigno netted a double (46, 76) with one each for Christine Julien (15) who was replaced Filigno in the 39th minute.
Kara Lang sealed the win for the Canadians with her goal on the stroke of full time.
The Guyanese were never going to be able to stave off the well oiled Canadian unit but did their utmost to defend as much as they could, no doubt, the exposure at this level for the first time will serve them in good stead for the future.
Canada’s quick style of play and commanding possession of the ball made it difficult for the ‘Lady Jags’ who despite the gap in terms of experience between the two sides communicated very well among themselves.
It was going to be a matter of time before the Guyanese cracked and that moment was created in the 15th minute when a Christine Julien hammered home a punchy shot low and hard past Catherine Kobelka.
Collette Hope play left side defense in place of Tessa Edwards who started in the first game against Mexico which Guyana lost 7-0 was no match for the Canadians who took a liking to that side.
Such was the dominance of the Canadians that Guyana managed their first shot on goal in the 63rd minute.
Canada played very high, almost to the half way line; Guyana not finding the right formula to get forward as the Canadians, boasting the most triumphs (18) and shutouts (17) in Women’s World Cup Qualifying, maintained the pressure.
Kobelka brought off good save in 26th minute at short range to her left and this added some confidence to her colleagues.
Canada won quite a few corners but they wasted those opportunities. With the game 34 minutes old, Christine Sinclair banged in the fist of her 4 goals. Kobelka found herself one on one and blocked the ball into touch for a corner; the ensuing kick saw the Guyanese keeper not collecting cleanly with the alert Sinclair putting the ball into the nets.
Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe had no work at all to do in the first half with the Maple Leafs making their first change in the 39th minute, Filigno replacing Julien.
Kobelka brought off another excellent save in the 41st minute to keep the rampaging Canadians at bay as the half ended with the score 2-0.
After the break, there was going to be no letting up by Canada and 46 seconds into the half Filigno scored her first, Canada’s third.
Sinclair inked her name in the score books in the 50th, 63rd and 75th taking her tally of goal in an exciting career to 107.  Filigno blasted her second in the 76th minute while the deal was sealed on the stroke of full time with Kara Lang scoring.
Sinclair’s second came from a set piece after Filigno was fouled just outside the box on the left side of Guyana’s goal.
Wanting to maintain their all-round dominance, Canada made their second sub in the 55th minute, while Guyana Captain Ashley Rodrigues, who did not have a good game, making way for Melissa Elia in the 60th.
Sinclair’s third goal saw her speeding past the Guyana defence to slip the ball under the advancing Kobelka who was forced to come off her line. Canada 5 Guyana 0.
Guyana’s first real shot of the game was in the 64th minute Alison Heydorn firing way over the cross bar; their first corner was forced 3 minutes later and their second sub saw Tessa Edwards coming in for Olivia Gonsalves in the 68th minute.
Alsion Heydorn who is Guyana’s leading goal scorer in World Cup Qualifying did not find scoring range in this encounter ands was subbed in the 78th minute, Chantal Lynch taking her place.
The win for Canada placed them into the semifinals with the United States and Costa Rica already booking their place following wins over Guatemala and Haiti respectively on Saturday night at the Estadio Andres Quintna Roo. USA and Costa Rica will face off this evening in the final game of Group B with Guatemala and Haiti battling for pride.
Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago faced off in the final game last night as the battle for the final semifinal berth is on. Mexico won their opening game while T&T lost theirs.

---

---