Two of the top ten in the world rankings will meet in Vancouver on Sunday morning when host nation Canada take on England in their Women’s World Cup quarter final match up. Both sides made it through their respective second round matches by a single goal, Canada with a 1-0 win over Switzerland, whilst England beat Norway 2-1.
England are expected to provide Canada with their stiffest test of the tournament so far as they are the first top ten side to face the hosts. The game will be played in front of a packed house at the BC Place stadium, which promises to provide an electric atmosphere.
The last meeting between these two nations came in a pre-tournament warm up match in Hamilton. Canada took that rather dour game 1-0,with both sides clearly eager knock off any rust before the competition began.
Canada have been defensively solid so far in this tournament, having given up only one goal in their four matches. But the hosts have been goal shy, netting only three times on their journey to the quarters and have yet to bag more than a solitary goal in any of their games.
By comparison, England have been much more productive in front of goal, scoring six times en route to this stage. At the other end, they have conceded four times in four matches and have so far failed to keep a clean sheet.
The Three Lionesses suffered a loss in their opening game, going down 0-1 to France. But Mark Sampson’s side have since managed three successive victories, including an impressive comeback against Norway in the second round.
Sunday’s game will be a replay of the quarter final at the London 2012 Olympic games, which Canada won 2-0 on their way to picking up a bronze medal. Three years on, this England team features a number of the Olympic squad who will be looking to avenge that loss.
The winner will meet either Japan or Australia in the semi final. England have never made it beyond the last 8 of the Women’s World Cup.
Ones to watch
Christine Sinclair
Not only is she Canada’s most capped player, but she also holds the record for the most goals scored for her country. Sinclair has notched up well over 200 caps and scored more than 150 goals since her debut 15 years ago.
Despite that, Sinclair has yet to set this tournament alight. The veteran striker has scored just once, netting a last minute penalty against China on the opening day. However, she remains one to watch and England would be foolish to forget about her qualities in attack.
Karen Carney
After being absent for England’s defeat to France, Carney has since come in and helped turn around her country’s’ fortunes. The Birmingham City Ladies winger came off the bench to score the crucial second in England’s 2-1 win over Mexico before opening the scoring against Colombia.
Carney possesses a quick turn of pace and the dribbling abilities to beat several players, as well as a superb crossing and passing technique. England will be hopeful the ‘wizard’, as she has been nicknamed, will once again provide their creative spark against the Canadians.
