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CANADA 0:1 UNITED STATES a.e.t. The match began all tension and jangling nerves as the teams took turns feeling each other out. With the ball trapped primarily in the middle of the park, the opening minutes were a test of strength as each side tried to stamp a physical authority on the proceedings. The midfield hustle and bustle finally gave way as an American defensive blunder allowed super striker Christine Sinclair to fire a shot from a tough angle just outside the right side of the box. Though the looping strike sailed just wide of Ashlyn Harris’ far post, the first chance of the match surely gave the slightly fancied US something to think about (19’). As the Americans pressed and pressed to find a chink in the Canadian defensive armour they found themselves thwarted time and again by the best efforts of the hosts’ able rearguard. Team Canada nearly laid claim to the lead as Katie Thorlakson broke in behind the US defence from the right. Her long, low cross fell to Amy Vermeulen at the far corner of the box, and her misplaced shot was nearly steered in by Thorlakson lurking at the back post (32’). The US charged right back and Keeley Dowling nearly headed home from a corner as Canadian ‘keeper Erin McLeod misjudged the flight of the ball (35’). Despite the half’s handful of clear chances, the sides remained tangled and scoreless as they headed into the locker room for the half. The US came out flying as Heather O’Reilly broke free down the left flank and laid the ball into the path of Kelly Wilson charging in at the edge of the box. The rampaging American’s shot sailed only just over the bar to the relief of the rabidly pro-Canadian crowd (54’). The hosts
hit right back as a brilliant dummy from Sinclair set up Thorlakson from close
range. US ‘keeper Harris dove brilliantly to her right to keep the score
sheet clean (55’). Both sides continued to pour on the pressure, and Canada looked good to grab the opener as a great turn and cross from Thorlakson found Sinclair racing in on goal. Jill Oakes did well to keep the striker extraordinaire at bay (75’). Sinclair broke in clean on Harris at the death, but somehow managed to balloon the close-range chance over the bar, as barren regulation gave way to golden goal extra time (90’). The two battling finalists continued to push against fatigue and nerves to find that elusive winner. And it was the US that managed to manufacture the winner as substitute Megan Kakadelas turned well and served in a low cross from the left. After a crucial deflection, US captain Tarpley leapt like a lynx to inflict the ultimate pain on the gracious hosts at the far post (0:2, 109’). Source:
www.fifa.com |
A
fiercely contested clash of old friends and neighbors Canada and the United States
fell the Americans’ way in front of 47,784 screaming supporters at the final
of the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship. After a scoreless
90 minutes, US captain and standout Lindsay Tarpley struck 19 minutes into golden
goal extra time to send the pre-tournament favourites into a well-earned frenzy.