Sweden Wins, Canada Faces USA In QF

Swedish striker Lotta Schelin scored two goals as Canada fell 1:2 to in its final group match at the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Despite the loss, Canada had already learned of its qualification for the Friday quarter-final before kick off.

“For the Canadian national team to qualify for the quarter-final is a huge accomplishment, ” said coach Even Pellerud.

“We knew before the warm up that we had qualified, so we were pleased about that. I told the players to stay focused on the game, which they did. It was our third strong performance in a row.”

“It was tough to lose, but we already knew before the match that we had qualified for the quarter-final,” said Melissa Tancredi, the author of Canada’s lone goal in the 63rd minute.

The Ancaster, ON striker dove head first to connect with an Amy Walsh centering pass. Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl had no chance in stopping Tancredi’s header. It was Tancredi’s eighth career goal, putting her tied for 10th on the all-time list with Annie Caron and Kristina Kiss.

“Sweden needed to get points and we didn’t, so they come out strong,” said captain Christine Sinclair. “After they scored, we seemed to settle down a lot. The goal woke us up and then we created some good chances. Take nothing away from the Swedes, though, their team is a very talented group.”

Schelin opened the scoring in the 19th minute, accepting a pass and getting in behind the Canadian defenders. All alone in on goalkeeper Erin McLeod, Schelin fired a shot into the left corner for her second goal of the tournament.

Five minutes earlier, Sweden had forced the play into the Canadian zone. A shot from just outside the box sailed high after it was deflected by Sophie Schmidt.

After Sweden opened the scoring, Diana Matheson had a terrific chance as she broke in alone on Lindahl in the 22nd minute. Lindahl, however, forced Matheson to make the first move and Lindahl made the easy save. As the play continued, Canada was able to cross the ball into the box on two quick occasions, but neither time was another Canuck present to convert the play for goal.

Sweden continued its attack in the second half, pushing deep into the Canadian territory. McLeod was terrific, making several key saves to keep the score close. In the 50th minute, it was Canada’s turn as Tancredi created a terrific chance off a Rhian Wilkinson corner.

It was on the counter attack, however, that Schelin scored her second of the match and third of the tournament. Jessica Landstrom on the left drew the Canadian defence to her side before passing the ball to the free-and-clear Schelin.

After Tancredi’s goal cut the Swedish lead in half, Canada continued to press. In the 71st minute, Kara Lang took a long pass from Wilkinson. She turned with the ball and shot between two defenders, but could not even the score.

Two minutes later, McLeod was forced to deflect a shot from 20 metres out from Therese Sjogren. Then in the 74th minute, it was Tancredi’s turn to fire from 30 metres out, beating the goalkeeper but missing the net.

In the 87th minute, Sweden came back with another chance. First Jessica Landstrom fired but missed the target, then captain Victoria Svensson had her chance but went wide of McLeod and the net.

Of note in the game, goal scorer Tancredi was back in the lineup after missing one game because of an ankle injury. Defender Randee Hermus returned to the bench and Wilkinson moved back from midfield to defence.

Coach Pellerud made three substitutions in the match, all in the second half. Amy Walsh replaced Sophie Schmidt at midfield in the 46th minute and Jodi-Ann Robinson replaced captain Sinclair up front in the 67th minute. Robyn Gayle then replaced Emily Zurrer on defence in the 81st minute. Both Walsh and Gayle were making their Olympic debuts.

Five years ago in the last significant match between these two sides at the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003, Sweden won 2:1 in what was the semi-final match. Canada went on to finish fourth at the tournament. Through 2008, Canada’s all-time record is now one win, 10 losses and one draw against Sweden.

More importantly, though, Canada now faces the United States in three days on 15 August. The Women’s Olympic Football Tournament quarter-final match will be played at the Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, China (18.00 / 06.00 ET / 03.00 PT).

Canada Lineup
Erin McLeod, Emily Zurrer, Martina Franko, Candace Chapman, Rhian Wilkinson, Clare Rustad, Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson, Kara Lang, Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi,

Substitutes
Amy Walsh (Sophie Schmidt) 46′
Jodi-Ann Robinson (Christine Sinclair) 67′
Robyn Gayle (Emily Zurrer) 81′

Scorers
SWE … Lotta Schelin 19′
SWE … Lotta Schelin 51′
CAN … Melissa Tancredi 63′