2015 Summer Universiade: Canada defeats Czechs, marks history

GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – Canada is now guaranteed to record its best-ever Universiades finish in women's soccer, as it defeated the Czech Republic by a score of 2-1 Wednesday at the Boseong Public Stadium.

Gwangju 2015 website: www.gwangju2015.com

Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index

Team Canada Twitter account : @CDNUniversiade | #goCanadaU

The Canadians will now play in the semi-finals, allowing them to battle for a medal and thus end the tournament in the top four. Canada has finished fifth three times, in 1993 in Buffalo, in 2005 in Izmir, Turkey, and in 2011 in Shenzhen, China.

Wednesday's win was even more impressive considering the Czechs had seven members of the senior national program on their roster, with five of them appearing on the starting lineup of this Universiade team. Canada's head coach Peyvant Mossavat pointed out the quality of his group in his post-game comments.

"I can't say how I feel, it's just incredible! Hats off to the girls, this was our goal to get a top four finish and they have just been amazing. They worked so hard to get there. We keep making history as we go," said the UOIT coach.

He particularly praised his team's defensive skills. "From our first camp back in May, we talked about defending like our life depends on it and we have done that. We knew we had girls that could score goals and it's coming together, every game they are getting better. We are going to enjoy the last two games."

The Czechs dictated the pace for most of the first half, obtaining several scoring chances in Canada's territory. However, nothing went past goalkeeper Marie-Joëlle Vandal (Longueuil, Que.), who had not allowed a single goal to the opponent in the tournament at that point.

Canada's only real opportunity came from Joëlle Gosselin of Quebec City, Que. at the 45^th minute. The Laval University Rouge et Or forward headed Marie-Ève Jacques' cross, but the ball ended in the keeper's hands. The score was still 0-0 at the half.

Canada started the second period with a bang. Gosselin took the back pass from Heather Lund (Red Deer, Alta.) at the 46^th minute, but her shot went over the Czech net.

Lund then seemed to have scored with a header on a corner kick from Gabrielle Lapointe, but the referee called a controversial foul. It was only a matter of time for Canada though.

On the very next sequence, Lund applied strong pressure and was tripped in the area, resulting in a penalty in favor of the Canadians. Mélissa Roy of Levis, Que. did not miss the opportunity and offered the Red and White a 1-0 lead in the 51^st minute.

Gosselin doubled Canada's advantage in the 55th minute when she recovered a loose ball on the edge of the area. Her top-corner shot left no chance for the Czech goalkeeper, and it was 2-0 in favour of the Canadians.

Canada was able to hold the Czech forwards, who applied more and more pressure, in addition to enjoying a few chances on the counter. The Europeans finally added one at the 92^nd, but it was too little, too late, and Canada triumphed by a score of 2-1.

Authour of the second Canadian goal, Joëlle Gosselin had trouble containing her joy after in the game. "This is the best feeling I've had since the final of the national championship last fall. I think it has even surpassed that, with a guaranteed top four and the possibility of bringing a medal home. Furthermore, all the Laval girls were on the pitch to start the game and everyone worked so hard. We have the team to go far, that's sick!," said  Gosselin, who now has two goals in four games with Canada.

The Canadians are already thinking about their next match against Russia (3-0-1), who defeated Brazil 1-0 on Wednesday. The semi-final of the Universiade tournament will be played Friday at 11 a.m. (Thursday 10 p.m. ET). Japan and France will play each other in the second semi-final.

Source: CIS