Wed Sep 5 23:06:41 2007

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2007 Women's World Cup Preview - Canada

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(Sports Network) - After an appearance in the semifinals in the 2003 World Cup, Canada is looking to build on that effort and place its name among the elite in the women's game.

The Canadians have put themselves firmly in position as the second best team in the CONCACAF region behind the United States, and even pushed the Americans during qualifying in a tense final match in the Gold Cup.

Canada earned an automatic qualifying spot after dispatching Jamaica 4-0 in the Gold Cup semis before turning their attention to the United States in the final.

The game was a tight affair with the two teams going to extra time following a 1-1 contest. Although Canada lost on a late penalty kick at the end of extra time, it showed that this is a team that is waiting to break out.

China 2007 is a great stage for that to happen, with head coach Even Pellerud bringing a team to China that is physically powerful and capable of wearing down any team in the world.

Although Canada lacks the overall firepower from top to bottom of many of the world's elite teams, they have the ability to grind out wins and play a physical style that is tough to deal with.

Striker and team captain Christine Sinclair can be counted among the top strikers in the world with 58 goals in 82 games for Canada. She should carry the scoring load for her team, which should have gained even more confidence from an impressive showing in the Gold Cup.

"The goal for the tournament was to qualify for the World Cup," Pellerud told FIFA's website of the Gold Cup. "It was a lot of pressure on the players but they handled it well. I am more relieved than happy at the moment."

Having achieved the goal of getting to the World Cup, it is now time to set an even different goal, getting back to the semifinals.

Canada opens up its Group C games with Norway, who are likely to be the group favorites. If they can take a point away from this one, the Canadians will be in good shape with easier contests against Ghana and Australia to follow.

Canada has built its program to the point that just simply qualifying is not enough anymore. The team will be looking to take the next step and trying to repeat the success it had at the last World Cup.

If Canada can duplicate that success and continue to put pressure on the United States, Pellerud would be more than just relieved, it might even make him happy.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:

-- Champion CONCACAF Gold Cup - 1998.

-- 2nd CONCACAF Gold Cup - 1991, 1994, 2002, 2006.

-- 4th FIFA Women's World Cup - 2003