June 25, 2006 Women's International Friendly Canada vs Italy (from Canadian Soccer Association web site)

Women’s National Team
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Canada Defeats Italy 2-1 in Toronto

Toronto, Ontario – In their first encounter with Head Coach Even Pellerud at the helm, Canada’s Women’s National Team dominated Italy 2-1 in an International friendly played in a sold out Centennial Stadium in Toronto on June 25, 2006. In four prior encounters, Canada had only managed to earn one draw and three losses to their counterparts.

Within two minutes from the opening whistle, Canada was ahead by two with two quick goals. The first was a resulted after Rhian Wilkinson crossed the ball into the goal area where Italian defender Cristina Cassanelli headed the ball to clear the pass but the ball few past the Italian keeper Carla Brunozzi and into her own net.

Less than a minute later, Christine Sinclair slid the ball to Charmaine Hooper for an easy tap past Brunozzi for her 68th goal.

Italy cut the deficit with a penalty taken by Silvia Fuselli in the 32nd minute after Christine Latham was called for tripping Alessia Tuttino in the penalty area. They looked for the equalizer in the 45th minute as Venusia Paliotti battled with the Canadian defence for a shot but was blocked by the Canadian keeper Erin McLeod who rushed up to meet the attack.

For the remainder of the match, Canada continued to dominate but was unable increase the lead.

Robyn Gayle of Mississauga, Ontario earned her first cap with the national team.

“This game was marked a pretty inconsistent performance with a strong beginning of the first half that slowed down,” said Pellerud. “We began second half slowly, but we were able to dominate the last thirty minutes and we created many goal scoring opportunities. I think Italy was lucky to get away with the 2-1 final result.”

“We need to step up the game more in terms of where we need to be, but we will get there.”

The Italian friendly marks a very busy few months for Pellerud’s squad as he begins to ramp up his preparations for qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China next summer. The Canadians have lined up several friendlies between now and late August with high ranking teams from CONCACAF, Asia, and Europe (details to be released soon).

CSA Returns to GTA on July 7, 2006

Canada’s Men’s Under-20 Team will play in Toronto in less than two weeks when they take on CONCACAF rivals USA at the Rogers Centre on July 9, 2006. Tickets range from $19.00-$39.00 plus applicable service charges and are available via Ticketmaster at 416.872.5000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Two days later, both teams will clash at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, Ontario on July 9th. Tickets are priced at $29.00 for Centre Gold Reserved seating, $19.00 for Sideline Reserved seating, and $12.00 for General Admission seating and can be purchased at the Physical Education Centre on the campus of Queen’s University at 613-533-6000 x 74715, and online at www.whatsonkingston.com and www.goldengaels.com.

Match Info

Sunday, June 25, 2006 - International Friendly
Centennial Stadium – Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 4,325

CANADA - 2 (2)
ITALY – 1 (1)

Goals: Canada - Hooper (2); Italy - Cassanelli (OG) (1), Zorri (PK) (32)
Cautions: Canada - Latham (32); Italy - Fuselli (86)
Expulsions – none

CANADA:
22-McLeod, Erin; 2-Latham, Christine; 3-Booth, Melanie; 5-Neil, Andrea (17-Timko, Brittany, 61); 6-Nonen, Sharolta; 8-Matheson, Diana; 9-Franko, Martina (11-Hermus, Randee, 90+); 10-Hooper, Charmaine (C); 12-Sinclair, Christine; 13-Walsh, Amy (4-Cicchini, Amanda, 81); 16-Wilkinson, Rhian (14-Gayle, Robyn, 71)
Head Coach: Even Pellerud
Subs not used: 1-LeBlanc, Karina; 7-Dennis, Tanya

ITALY: 1-Brunozzi, Carla; 2-Cassanelli, Cristina (22-Masia, Margherita Gioia, 16) (13-Gama, Sara, 78); 3-Tavalazzi, Daniela (17-Dadda, Roberta, 65); 4-Di Filippo, Sara; 5-Tona, Elisabetta; 6-Perelli, Giulia; 7-Tuttino, Alessia; 8-Paliotti, Venusia; 9-Marsico, Teresina Lina (15-Fuselli, Silvia, 63); 10-Zorri, Tatiana (C); 11-Rosciani, Elisa
Head Coach: Pietro Ghedin
Subs not used: 12-Marchitelli, Chiara; 14-Pini, Carolina; 16-Schiavi, Viviana; 18-Gabbiadini, Melania; 19-Camporese, Elisa; 20-Colasuonno, Fabiana; 21-Sabatino, Daniela

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