England scored two quick goals to knock Canada from Women's World Cup
By The Nelson Daily Sports
There was no joy in Canadaville Saturday after England scored two quick first half goals to edge host Canada 2-1 in FIFA Women’s World Cup Soccer action at BC Place in Vancouver.
The game attracted a record-breaking crowd of 54,027. The previous Canadian national team record or 53,855 was set in the same venue last Sunday for the round-of-16 game against Switzerland.
Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze scored for England in the 11th and 14th minutes against a Canadian defence that had given up one goal during its four previous games.
Canadian captain Christine Sinclair cut the margin in half at the 42nd minute with her 155th international goal thanks a goalkeeping gaffe by Karen Bardsley.
The English ‘keeper was eventually forced off in the 52nd minute after taking a whack to the eye and was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain.
But Canada, ranked eighth to start the tournament, could not penetrate the sixth-ranked England defence in the second half.
England advances to play defending champion Japan in Wednesday’s semifinal in Edmonton.
The fourth-ranked Japanese edged No. 10 Australia 1-0 earlier in the day at Commonwealth Stadium on an 87th-minute goal by Mana Iwabuchi.
The other semifinal, set for Tuesday in Montreal, sees No. 1 Germany versus the second-ranked Americans.
