

Posted by

Emily Dulhanty ,

August 8, 2014 Email

Emily Dulhanty

On Twitter:

@emidul

After losing to Ghana in Tuesday’s under 20 Women’s World Cup opener, Canada plays Finland in a must win match on Friday. Here are some pregame notes:



Looking at Finland



The goal Finland’s Sini Laaksonen scored in their 2-1 loss to Korea DPR on Tuesday was quite the strike from 20 yards out, which you can see in the match highlights here.



This is Finland’s second FIFA under 20 WWC. They qualified in 2006 and were in the same group as Canada, and were beaten by Canada by a score of 2-0. Finland finished last in the group with zero points and scored just one goal (which was actually an own goal by China). Many have considered Finland one of the weaker teams in group A, but getting through UEFA qualifying is no easy task.



Finland have never qualified for an under 17 WWC, and for a bit of context as to where Finland’s senior team stands on the world stage, they are ranked 23rd by FIFA. Most recently, the Canadian women’s senior team beat Finland by a score of 3-0 last March at the Cyprus Cup.



Canada’s Starting Eleven



After Tuesday, it is clear that Canada’s coach Andrew Olivieri has some lineup decisions to make. The inclusion of Nichelle Prince into Tuesday’s match in the 60th minute certainly provided a spark for Canada’s attack. She was able to run at Ghana’s defense, and created a handful of good opportunities on goal. But, if Olivieri was to give Prince the start on Friday, who would she replace in the starting eleven? It would likely be Valerie Sanderson, who was the player subbed off for Prince. While Janine Beckie should have done better on her two chances late into Tuesday’s game, she was active the whole match, and her pace isn’t something Canada can lose.



Another question that arises after Tuesday’s game is- why was Emma Fletcher substituted out of the game at the 52nd minute mark when she looked like one of Canada’s best players? After Fletcher created Canada’s best chance of the game in the 41st minute, beating two defenders then rattling a shot off the post, I think it is fair to say that decision is a bit puzzling.



Quotes



After Tuesday’s loss, Canada’s coach Andrew Olivieri told FIFA.com: “We've already moved on. At the final whistle, we were already focused on our next game. Against Finland, it will be do or die, and we have to learn to adapt to the other team's style of play. It took us the half of the game tonight to learn that, and by then it was too late. I’m satisfied with the energy I’ve seen, but I can’t say that I’m satisfied with our performance.”



Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who parried a shot directly to Ghana’s Sherifatu Sumaila leading to the goal, had this to say: “Unfortunately, I didn’t make a clean and decisive save, and that led to the goal. But you have to bounce back from these mishaps. At the time, it really affected me, but you quickly put it out of your mind and concentrate on the match…For the moment, we’re still in the running and we’re focusing on our upcoming match with Finland. My team-mates can be sure that I’ll be ready for it.”



