Canada‘s women’s national team concluded its week in Edmonton, Alberta, with a 3-0 win over Korea Republic.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC alumnae Christine Sinclair got started with her 146th career goal in the 24th minute before fellow 'Caps alum Brittany Timko and second half substitute Adriana Leon got in on the party at Commonwealth Stadium.
While Canada made the most of their chances, they have starting goalkeeper Erin McLeod who made a string of fine saves in the early going. McLeod made a few routine saves in the eighth and 21st minutes, stopping long range efforts.
But in the 33rd minute, McLeod was very sharp to move to her right, dive, and parry away a curling right-footed free kick by So Yun Ji.
Ji again had another chance just four minutes later that looked like it may have caught McLeod off her line but the 30-year-old who was playing in her home province, backtracked well and tipped the ball over for a corner.
McLeod’s night was done after the first half as fellow Albertan Stephanie Labbe replaced her for the second half.
Sinclair opened the scoring in the 24th minute after getting on the end of a Diana Matheson corner kick. The Koreans gave Sinclair all kinds of space and Sinclair showed what happens when you give one of the best players in the world space as she nodded home the free header.
It was another corner kick that led to Canada’s second goal in the 40th minute. Matheson was provider again as she collected a short corner and crossed in. After being flicked by two Canadian players, it landed in the path of Timko and she scored from close range.
Leon’s goal, her second for Canada, came with just over 20 minutes remaining after some fine passing opened up the Korean defence. Leon collected a pass from Kyle and slotted the ball past.
“It was fantastic to see 12,000+ people in mid-October on a cold night,” said Canada’s head coach John Herdman. “They saw three goals, which is great. And hopefully they’re going to see that win the first game of the World Cup when we’re here. So 12,000 people are going to turn into 60,000 or 55,000 when we turn up again next.”
“For the game itself, we tried a few new players. At times you just see the quality in Matheson, Sinclair, Schmidt; when they combine together this Canadian team looks fantastic,” added Herdman. “All in all, the Koreans were good for the game. They deserved a goal or two. It could have been a closer match but it shows we’ve still got a bit of work to do.”
Canada's women's national team now heads into residency in Vancouver, BC, where it will play its next match on November 24, at BC Place. Tickets for the match are on sale via Ticketmaster, and all the information is available on canadasoccer.com.
