Rio bound! Canada qualifies for Olympic Games!

Canada Soccer – Rio bound! Canada qualifies for Olympic Games!

19 February 2016

Canada will have the chance to defend their Olympic bronze medal this summer after they earned their third-straight qualification through a 3:1 win over Costa Rica. Canada qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by winning their semi-final match at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on Friday night.

READ THE MATCH REPORT: Canada 3:1 Costa Rica

Canada will next play in the CONCACAF final on Sunday 21 February against either USA or Trinidad and Tobago. Canada are two-time CONCACAF champions from 1998 and 2010.

“The girls were fantastic, they owned that game,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach. “They played good football, defended well, and showed their class.”

Christine Sinclair scored twice and Deanne Rose added the insurance marker late after a Raquel Rodríguez penalty. Sinclair’s second goal was a two-touch beauty from the top of the box.

“She (Sinclair) is class. When you ask her to deliver, she delivers. Wow, what a performance. Stick with her (because) we’re going to Rio and will have another crack at the podium!”

“It was a whole team performance,” said Canada’s captain Christine Sinclair. “Costa Rica is much improved and they tested us like no other team (at this tournament). We had lots of crosses into the box and I was lucky to get a couple in.”

Canada has won all four matches at this year’s CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, with group phase victories over Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guatemala. Following the 19 February semi-final, Canada will play in the Final Match on Sunday 21 February at 16.00 local (17.00 ET / 14.00 PT on Sportsnet One).

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOS

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS VIA CONCACAF

CONGRATULATIONS ON OLYMPIC BERTH

“What another terrific performance by our Women’s National Team to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” said Victor Montagliani, President of Canada Soccer. “Our team is a tremendous inspiration to Canadians from coast to coast to coast across the nation. We are behind them every step of the way into this weekend’s CONCACAF Final and this summer’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Brazil.”

“Congratulations to our women’s national team and the entire Canada Soccer family,” said the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities. “Four years ago in London, you said that your work was not done—and your win today has brought you one step closer to your goal of being on top of the podium in Rio this summer. Know that Team Canada, 35 million strong, will be behind you every step of the way.”

RIO 2016 WOMEN’S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

This summer’s Rio 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament will again feature 12 nations. The 32-match final competition runs 3-20 August at seven stadiums in six cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo.

The first eight nations to qualify are Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and Canada. The Official Draw for all 12 finalists will take place on 14 April 2016.

At the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Canada won a memorable bronze medal after finishing in third place.

About Canada Soccer

Canada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at canadasoccer.com

CANADA 3:1 COSTA RICA

GOALS REPORT:
CAN – Christine Sinclair (17′)
CAN – Christine Sinclair (52′)
CRC – Raquel Rodríguez (71′)
CAN – Deanne Rose (86′)
 

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Media Contacts

Carrie Croft
Women’s National Teams Program
ccroft@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.406.4986

Richard Scott
Men’s National Teams Program
rscott@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.818.03