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World Cup Semi-Finalists Canada Grace Our Shores

by Jeremy Ruane

For only the second time in the history of football in New Zealand, this country is preparing to welcome one of the semi-finalists at the most recent World Cup Finals.

1990 World Cup fourth place-getters England graced our shores the following year, to mark the then NZFA's centenary celebrations. Seventeen years on, it's the turn of the women's game to play host to one of the top four teams at the last Women's World Cup Finals.

Kia ora, Canada, who'll be gracing these shores on Queen's Birthday weekend.

The “Canucks”, as they are nicknamed, enjoyed a golden run to the semis in 2003, beating Argentina, Japan and China before falling to Sweden at the penultimate hurdle. Host nation the USA condemned Evan Pellerud's team to a fourth-placed finish in a tournament won by Germany, who thumped the Canadians in round-robin play.

Since that all-time high, they have traded wins and losses in equal measure, but still boast a top-ten ranking in the women's game, despite their current form guide boasting defeats to China (twice) and the USA in the three internationals played to date this year.

Among the stars on the park is 127-cap defender Andrea Neil, who has played in every Canadian Women's World Cup campaign to date. Twenty-year-old Kara Lang is one of their most exciting prospects, while Brittany Timko, Martina Franko and Diana Matheson are others to keep an eye on.

In Christine Sinclair, Canada boasts one of the game's foremost strikers. With seventy goals on the world stage to date, she is just one shy of equalling the Canadian record - impressive going for someone who turns 24 next week!

The head-to-head record between the countries is dead even. New Zealand, through Monique Van de Elzen, won 1-0 at the 1987 Women's World Invitational Tournament in Taiwan, while Maia Jackman made her international debut when the countries drew 0-0 at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in New York six years later.

The most recent meeting, at the 2000 Pacific Cup in Canberra, saw Sinclair's “Golden Goal” winner seal a come-from-behind 2-1 win for Canada, Kristina Kiss netting seven minutes from the end of normal time to counter Amanda Crawford's opener for the Kiwis ten minutes into the second half.

But what is Canada doing here anyway? Well, like New Zealand, they've qualified for the 2007 Women's World Cup Finals. And like John Herdman's charges, they need games against quality opposition to prepare for September's events in China … seems a logical conclusion really, doesn't it?

It's anything but, however, from a financial (visiting teams aren't cheap!!) and logistical perspective. New Zealand's geographic isolation will always be a contributing factor towards why we very rarely get to see our national teams hosting international opposition from outside the Oceania region.

Last year's visit by Malaysia, for instance, marked the first “A” internationals against non-Oceania rivals played by the All Whites on home soil since Korea Republic toured here in 2000.

If you think that's bad, then spare a thought for our girls, who, with Canada's visit, are welcoming a non-

Christine Sinclair (Canada)

Maia Jackman

Michele Cox

John Herdman

Oceania nation to our shores for the first time since March 1996 - the Koreans again - and for only the fourth time in the thirty-five year history of the women's game in this country!

So the “Canucks” visit is one which we embrace with open arms. Or, more appropriately, by ensuring there are plenty of bums on seats - yes, including yours! - at both internationals at North Harbour Stadium on June 3rd (3.30pm) and 6th (7.30pm)!!

That it has come about owes much to NZ Football's Head of Women's Football, Michele Cox, whose dedication and determination to ensure our Women's World Cup-bound squad enjoy the best possible preparation for the event is best emphasised by this fact:

Between November 1998 and October 2006, New Zealand's women played the grand total of fifteen “A” internationals - a figure which is at least one game less than the tally of “A” matches they will have amassed since November last year, come the conclusion of September's Women's World Cup Finals.

New Zealand's captain against the University of North Carolina, Maia Jackman, has high praise for the efforts of her former team-mate at club, provincial and international levels. “I think Michele's done a great job in attracting such quality, high-calibre opposition as Canada and UNC to New Zealand.

“I got to see her doing her thing in China. Other countries have six or seven people trying to get games for their countries, whereas we've only got Michele - she's really focused.

“I don't know if the girls know just what she puts in to trying to get us games and things like that, so to see her in action … I've always had a lot of respect for Michele, but then you see what she does - she's really good!”

The coach of the national squad, John Herdman, is thrilled to be able to reap the benefits of his colleague's efforts behind the scenes. “We need this quality of opposition, and there's a test every month from now building up to the World Cup.

“We want to play the best teams - there's no point in taking on easy opposition. We've got to play the best, and the girls have to keep striving for a new benchmark. After Canada (10th), we've got Australia (14th) in July, then the last games - our big test - against top-ranked USA in August.

“It's about taking little steps, as we saw the girls take against UNC in front of a fantastic 1500-strong crowd - they were really supportive, and that spurred the girls on. I hope we get even more supporters along at both Canada games”.

It goes without saying that the players themselves are keen to make the most of the chance to play at home, something which Jackman openly emphasises. “Everyone's really excited - we really want to show the public that we are a credible team as well, and that we've been working hard given we haven't really had that much time together.

“It's all coming together fairly well, other than a few injuries here and there - rather they occur now than at the business end, that's for sure! The Canada games are an ideal opportunity for NZ Football and football in New Zealand generally”.

After all, we don't get to see World Cup semi-finalists down this way too often, do we?

2007 Home Internationals