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Canada on guard against Jamaica
/ Associated Press
Posted: 2 hours ago
CARSON, California (AP) - History suggests it shouldn't even be close.
Even with the past on their side, Canada's women's soccer team won't take Jamaica lightly when they play in one CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday.
Quarterfinals - Sun., Nov. 19
Panama 0-2 Jamaica Recap
Quarterfinals - Sun., Nov. 19
Mexico 3-0 Trinidad-Tob. Recap
Semifinals - Wed., Nov. 22
Canada vs. Jamaica* Preview
Semifinals - Wed., Nov. 22
USA vs. Mexico* Preview
3rd place - Sun., Nov. 26
Teams TBD*
Final - Sun., Nov. 26
Teams TBD*
*Airs on FSC Schedule
The Canadian women have never lost to Jamaica and have outscored the Reggae Girlz 31-0 in four meetings.
"We are the favorites, based on rankings and all that," coach Even Pellerud said after practice this week at the Home Depot Center. "That's the pressure we need to cope with.
"The biggest hope for us now is to be mentally ready. It's the first really important game in a long time. It's a big mental challenge more than anything."
A win puts Canada into Sunday's Gold Cup final, which determines the champion of the region that covers North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
A victory also gives Canada a berth in the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in China next September.
The United States and Mexico play in the other final.
Canada is currently ranked 10th in the world by FIFA. It's the first time the women have cracked the top 10. Jamaica is 81st.
The United States has won the last two Gold Cup championships, while Canada beat Mexico 1-0 to win the tournament in 1998.
Veteran defender Randee Hermus said the Canadians expect to play a different Jamaican team than the one they beat 6-0 in February 2004 during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
"It would be an undersight to say they are the same as they were before because we know we're not," Hermus said Hermus.
"Every team has improved and the gap has gotten closer and closer. To take them lightly would be a mistake and I don't think any of us are thinking that way at all."
The Canadian women learned a hard lesson about underestimating an opponent during the Olympic qualifying tournament. A 2-1 loss to Mexico - a team Canada had never lost to before - prevented them from playing at the Athens Games.
The Reggae Girlz have boundless energy and raw skill but sometimes lack discipline.
"They are very athletic, very fast and have a lot of skills," Canadian captain Christine Sinclair said. "They are probably not the most organized team.:hehe:
"We are going to look to exploit that."
/ Associated Press
Posted: 2 hours ago
CARSON, California (AP) - History suggests it shouldn't even be close.
Even with the past on their side, Canada's women's soccer team won't take Jamaica lightly when they play in one CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday.
Quarterfinals - Sun., Nov. 19
Panama 0-2 Jamaica Recap
Quarterfinals - Sun., Nov. 19
Mexico 3-0 Trinidad-Tob. Recap
Semifinals - Wed., Nov. 22
Canada vs. Jamaica* Preview
Semifinals - Wed., Nov. 22
USA vs. Mexico* Preview
3rd place - Sun., Nov. 26
Teams TBD*
Final - Sun., Nov. 26
Teams TBD*
*Airs on FSC Schedule
The Canadian women have never lost to Jamaica and have outscored the Reggae Girlz 31-0 in four meetings.
"We are the favorites, based on rankings and all that," coach Even Pellerud said after practice this week at the Home Depot Center. "That's the pressure we need to cope with.
"The biggest hope for us now is to be mentally ready. It's the first really important game in a long time. It's a big mental challenge more than anything."
A win puts Canada into Sunday's Gold Cup final, which determines the champion of the region that covers North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
A victory also gives Canada a berth in the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in China next September.
The United States and Mexico play in the other final.
Canada is currently ranked 10th in the world by FIFA. It's the first time the women have cracked the top 10. Jamaica is 81st.
The United States has won the last two Gold Cup championships, while Canada beat Mexico 1-0 to win the tournament in 1998.
Veteran defender Randee Hermus said the Canadians expect to play a different Jamaican team than the one they beat 6-0 in February 2004 during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
"It would be an undersight to say they are the same as they were before because we know we're not," Hermus said Hermus.
"Every team has improved and the gap has gotten closer and closer. To take them lightly would be a mistake and I don't think any of us are thinking that way at all."
The Canadian women learned a hard lesson about underestimating an opponent during the Olympic qualifying tournament. A 2-1 loss to Mexico - a team Canada had never lost to before - prevented them from playing at the Athens Games.
The Reggae Girlz have boundless energy and raw skill but sometimes lack discipline.
"They are very athletic, very fast and have a lot of skills," Canadian captain Christine Sinclair said. "They are probably not the most organized team.:hehe:
"We are going to look to exploit that."
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