Music: {allcanada} Canada Into Semi-Finals With Win Over Great Britain

Friday, August 3, 2012

{allcanada} Canada Into Semi-Finals With Win Over Great Britain

Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair scored first half goals to lead Canada over Great Britain 2-0, for their first ever semi-final berth at the Olympic Games women's soccer tournament. They will face United States, the defending champions.

"I think we are in shock right now," said Sinclair. "To win the way we did, I'm just speechless."

Unlike their final group game draw against Sweden, Canada started the quarter-final in control from the opening kick.

In the 12th minute, Canadian forward Filigno got on the end of a corner from midfielder Sophie Schmidt at the top of the box, and fired it into the top right hand corner of the net for Canada's opening marker.

Following the goal the Canadians were able to maintain pressure on a Great Britain back-line that was having trouble dealing with the pace of the attacking forwards.

Just 14 minutes after the opening goal, midfielder SCOTT Desiree charged down the middle of the field and earned Canada a free kick just outside the Great Britain box.

Canadian Captain Sinclair stepped up in the 26th minute and calmly fired a beautiful bending ball into the net to the left of a motionless Karen Bardsley , the Great Britain keeper who did not make a move towards the shot until it was out of her reach and into the net.

The goal doubled Canada's advantage before the half and silenced a mostly partisan crowd of more than 28-thousand at City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry, England.

It was the Burnaby, B.C. native's 140th international goal for Canada, moving her within two of American Abby Wambach for second on the all-time scoring list.

"At the start of the game we knew we couldn't afford to go behind,especially in front of this crowd," said Sinclair. "That's why we started on fire."

Following halftime, Canada's defensive play took over including standout performances from defender Lauren Sesselmann and Scott who were involved in many tackles breaking up attacks in their own end.

"Being 2-0 up was always going to be hard to defend but we did it," said Scott. "Minute to minute, we left everything we had out there on the pitch. I am so proud."

Keeper Erin McLeod got the call in the Canadian net, her third start and first win and clean sheet of the tournament. She was solid when called into action against Great Britain in the quarter-final victory.

Great Britain's best offensive chances came late in the game, including an 85th minute play in the box where forward Eniola Aluko went down under the challenge of Canadian defender Rhian Wilkinson and appealed for a penalty. The referee ruled that no foul occurred on the play and the game was allowed to continue.

Following that, the home side created a scramble in front of McLeod's goal but the St. Albert, Alberta native was able to pounce on the ball to help preserve the clean sheet.

Great Britain midfielder Jill Scott feels her team did everything they could to get back into the game.

"They had a gameplan and it worked so they stuck to it," said Sunderland, England native Scott. "We gave our all to get a goal back to give ourselves a chance."

With the victory, Canada now advances to a semi-final showdown with United States on Monday, August 6th at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.

"USA are obviously favourites for the tournament and are on fire right now," said Sinclair. "But we know them very well and we deserve to be there."