Canadians wrap up South America Tour with loss to Argentina

February 5, 2010

Throughout the three game series the Canadians faced the Argentinian World Cup Squad who rotated all 28 players, which gave them fresh legs and put constant pressure on the Canadians.

In the final game of the 3 game series,  the Argentines came out strong and beat the Canadians by a score of 4-1.

Argentina found the circle early and received the first corner of the game in the 4th minute.  The initial pc shot was saved by Azelia Liu (Ont), however, the rebound went to a wide open Argentinian who slotted it passed a diving Liu.  Canada fought back and received a corner of their own at the 7th minute mark, unfortunately Diana Roemer’s (BC) drag flick was deflected wide by a defensive stick.

The two teams exchanged penalty corners in the 16th and 18th minute and then it was all Argentina until the half.  At the 23 minute mark the Argentine’s received their third p.c, and this time their direct shot beat the Canadian defensive corner unit, to make the score 2-0.  The Argentine’s weren’t done and 5 minutes later a f.p. goal made it 3-0.

The Canadian’s had a better second half and put pressure on the Argentine goalkeeper early and were rewarded with a pc and goal at the 47th minute.  Di Roemer’s drag flick was deflected to a wide open Kate Gillis (Ont) who made no mistake and put the ball in the net for her first international goal.  Argentina got their final goal of the game at the 61st minute on another p.c. direct shot.

"It has been a long tour and the girls looked tired in the first half, but I’m very happy with the improved play and effort in the second half"  said coach Louis Mendonca after the game.

Coach Mendonca also thinks that the Canadian team needs to improve on their defensive penalty corners as well as their goalkeeping, before heading off to the World Cup Qualifier in San Diego next month.

Starting Line-up:

Azelia Liu,  Abigal Raye, Sam Smith, Stephanie Jameson, Diana Roemer, Anna Kozniuk, Tyla Flexman, Katie Baker, Thea Culley, Stephanie Nesbitt, Robyn Pendleton

Substitutions:

Ali Lee, Kate Gillis, Katie Collison, Michelle Weber, Krissy Wishart

Did not play:

Amanda Stone

Game Summary:

4 min ARGENTINA PC – direct shot – rebound – GOAL (1-0)

7 min CANADA PC – drag flick – stick save

16 min ARGENTINA PC – save Liu

18 min CANADA PC – save

23 min ARGENTINA PC – direct shot – GOAL (2-0)

28 min ARGENTINA FP – GOAL (3-0)

31 min ARGENTINA PC – direct shot – save Liu

39 min CANADA FP – shot – save

41 min CANADA FP – shot – save

47 min CANADA PC – drag flick – deflected to Kate Gillis – GOAL (3-1)

50 min ARGENTINA PC – shot wide

60 min ARGENTINA PC – reverse shot – save Liu

61 min ARGENTINA PC – direct shot – GOAL (4-1)