FISU GAMES: CANADA’S WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM STOPPED BY JAPAN
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| Nat Boyd - Freestyle Photgraphy |
WOMEN’S SOCCER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011
FISU GAMES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FISU GAMES: CANADA’S WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM STOPPED BY JAPAN
SHENZHEN, China (CIS) – Canada’s hopes of winning a medal at the 26th Summer Universiade in women’s soccer were dashed on Wednesday night, as a talented Japanese squad dominated the Canadians 6-0 in their quarter-final matchup at the University of Shenzhen Sports Center.
STATISTICS: http://match.sz2011.org/pdf/FB/FBW101K03/FBW101K03.C73.ENG.1.0.pdf
Canada hoped to make the semifinals for the first time in women’s soccer at the FISU Games, their best result being a fifth place performance in Buffalo in 1993 and in Turkey in 2005. Canada can try again for fifth, beginning with a placement game against South Korea on Friday at 7:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. ET).
“Our opponents controlled the space and exploited our defence with some excellent passing,” said Team Canada head coach Graham Roxburgh. “We thought we had a shot at halftime, but the third goal completely took our legs out from under us. Japan is one of the top teams in the tournament, along with Brazil, and this loss is very disappointing for our girls.”
With a very creative attack, Japan spent the night in Canada’s zone, constructing multiple scoring chances and hitting the crossbar in the 17th minute. The Japanese were finally rewarded in the 23rd minute after a perfect shot by team captain Risa Ikadai from 30 yards out, bending the ball off the left post to open scoring.
Only 15 minutes later, Ami Otaki, a former York University student and varsity athlete, beat Canadian keeper Rachel Bebek on a breakaway to the right side to give Japan a 2-0 advantage at the half.
In the 50th minute, Otaki again found herself all alone in the Canadian end, and made the most of the opportunity to put Japan ahead 3-0. Otaki completed the hat trick in the 78th minute, with a quick strike from just outside the box. In the 82nd minute, Yuko Takeyama added one more, while Otaki scored her fourth goal in the 90th minute to add insult to injury.
“We now have to show our character and go after a fifth place finish,” added Roxburgh.
Canada features Trinity Western midfielder Melissa Mobilio (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Nat Boyd (Surrey, B.C.), forwards Nikki Wright (Cloverdale, B.C.) and Daniela Gerig (Langley, B.C.) and coach Roxburgh and video and goalie coach Neil Turner.
Follow all of the Trinity Western athletes at the FISU Games at www.gospartans.ca and on Twitter @TWUSpartans
Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer
2011 Summer Universiade website: http://www.sz2011.org/Universiade
About the Summer Universiade
The Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years and is second only to the Olympic Games in the number of participating athletes and countries. Close to 9,000 athletes from over 150 countries will compete in Shenzhen. The Universiade is open to competitors who are at least 17 and less than 28 years of age as of January 1 in the year of the Games. Participants must be full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, CEGEP) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the event.
-CIS-
Last Updated: 2011-08-17
Email: Mark.Janzen@twu.ca