Re-Cap of Women's Olympic Qualifying Games So Far..Day 3

Day 3 was interesting.  As I waited in the volunteer lounge, we were all talking about what happened the night before with the USA team beating the Guatemalan team 14-0 and the fallouts from that night.  We were also very concerned for Ednie Limage, injured goaltender, from the Haitan team.  On my way up thru the "ring road" of BC Place, my crew and I passed Ednie Limage in the road.  She was walking without any assistance, however she was limping.  Although she won't be playing in the tournament from here on in, it was great to see her out of the hospital and walking around.

This match was actually the best match of the tournament to watch so far as it wasn't an all out blowout or slaughter.  It was a pretty tight game and had the crowd into it throughout.  These teams were a bit more evenly matched and so it could of been anyone's game.  We all just watched the play go back and forth on the pitch. The scoring didn't start til the first few minutes of the second half.  Wendy Acosta scored twice in the second for a 2-0 victory over Haiti that night. Haiti has now been virtually eliminated from the tournament without scoring a goal.

The Haitian team have overcome alot in this tournament.  The Haitian team suffered a devastating loss a year ago when 30 members of their soccer federation were killed in the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake.  They decided they would carry on in their names.  They arrived here in Vancouver for the first time in their lives, with the exception of 2 players who have been here before.  The sponsor, Soccer City was able to provide the goalkeeper with actual soccer cleats as she had arrived to the tourney with only her runners in which she had always played in.  She was also provided with actual "goalkeeper gloves" as opposed to the regular gloves she wore in games.  Then to have their goalie, Ednie Limage go out with an injury was also traumatic. So, for them to make it this far is amazing.  Kudos to Haiti for hanging in there.  

Canada was up next.  They played against Cuba.  We knew the Canadians would do well in this game.  Cuba proved to be a very effective team against Canada.  It wasn't the greatest game Canada has displayed so far.  There was sloppy plays and a bit or disorganization.  However, they were able to pull this one out of their hats with a 2-0 score.  They didn't run up the score and they didn't have to.  They just had to get the win and they did.  Christine Sinclair provided one of the goals on a penalty kick and the other came from Melissa Tancredi.  This win most likely helps Canada avoid playing the powerhouse USA team in the semi-finals.  If all goes to plan, they will end up playing Mexico instead.  Either way, Canada will need to play sharp and score lots of goals.