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9 September 2012 – CSA Update!

Canada has qualified for the quarter-final phase of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. Canada qualified for the final eight after finishing second place in Group A, with its next match now scheduled on Thursday 4 October against Group B winner Korea DPR. The Canada-Korea DPR match will take place at 8KM Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan with a 17.00 local kick off.

Canada finished undefeated with seven points in three matches, including a 29 September 1:0 victory over host Azerbaijan. Canada also won 1:0 over Colombia (25 September) and drew 1:1 with group winner Nigeria (22 September). The Canada-Korea DPR match will be broadcast live on CBCSports.ca with an 08.00 ET / 05.00 PT start. Fans can also follow the match live via twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN.

Final Group A standings feature Nigeria in first place (seven points, +14), Canada in second place (seven points, +2), Colombia in third place (three points), and Azerbaijan in fourth place (no points). On 29 September, Canada won 1:0 over Azerbaijan while Nigeria won 3:0 to eliminate Colombia. Final Group B standings feature Korea DPR in first place (five points, +11), France in second place (five points, +8), USA in third place (five points, +6), and Gambia in fourth place (no points). On 29 September, France won 10:2 over Gambia while Korea DPR drew 1:1 with USA.

On Sunday 30 September, the final matches in Groups C and D will be played. In Group C, Japan (six points) will face Mexico (3 points) while New Zealand (no points) will face Brazil (three points). All four teams are still in contention for a spot in the quarter-final phase. In Group D, Germany (four points) will face Uruguay (no points) while China PR (four points) will face Ghana (three points). Only Uruguay has been mathematically eliminated from the next round.

The 16-team FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 runs 22 September to 13 October in Baku (five venues) and Lankaran (one venue). The four quarter-final matches will be played over two days, with Groups A & B meeting on 4 October (Korea DPR v Canada and Nigeria v France) and Groups C & D meeting on 5 October. The two semi-final matches will be played on 9 October while the match for third place and championship final will be played on 13 October.

Canada won 1:0 over host Azerbaijan in the Group A finale at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. Valérie Sanderson scored the lone goal of the match early in the second half as Canada finished group play undefeated with seven points (two wins and one draw). The 29 September victory at Dalga Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan confirmed Canada’s place in the quarter-final phase of the 16-team competition.

Canada had plenty of chances, but only converted once on a second-half goal by Valérie Sanderson. According to in-match statistics, Canada fired 27 shots and held 63% of the possession. Azerbaijan, on the heels of an admitted poor performance and 0-11 loss to Nigeria, was resolute in its defence throughout the match. Goalkeeper Aytaj Sharifova made saves on six of the seven Canadian shots fired on target.

In the first half, all nine of Canada’s chances missed the target, including perhaps the best opportunity in which Sanderson shot high. The lone shot on goal in the first half was in fact struck by Melis Sarialtin, who in the 45th minute had a bit of space outside the box before firing a shot that forced Canada’s Kailen Sheridan to dive for a save.

Finally early in the second half, Canada took its 1-0 lead on the goal by Sanderson. After Prince chased a cross down to the touchline, she played it back into the box for Amandine Pierre-Louis who immediately flicked the ball over the Sanderson. As quickly as it came to her, Sanderson re-directed the ball on target, but the shot was stopped by goalkeeper Aytaj Sharifova from the ground. Off Sharifova’s foot, the ball bounced back to Sanderson who, on her second chance, made no mistake for a 1-0 Canadian lead.

Canada had more chances in the second half, in fact firing all seven of its shots on target in the second half. No more goals were scored – or needed – for the win and a spot in the quarter-final phase of the competition.

The 29 September match was played with 5,000 fans in attendance at Dalga Arena. Goal scorer Sanderson was selected Canada’s player of the match.

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Filed under: Canadian Soccer Association, Clubs, Competitions & Special Events, Media - OSA, OSA News Live, Out-Of-Province Tournaments, Players, Team Canada, The OSA Members   Related Posts:  CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying To Be Broadcast | Canada Qualifies For CONCACAF Semi-final | Rogers Sportsnet To Feature Quarter-Final Clash | Canada Ready For Semi-final Clash With USA | Believe It — Canada’s Women’s Team Qualifies For Beijing ! |