Canada captured the Cyprus Women's Cup soccer title with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand on Wednesday.
Diana Matheson scored the lone goal in the 70th minute as Canada finished the tournament undefeated with four wins. See the goal at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R80elfvE_4M&feature=player_embedded
"This result shows how far we've come just in the last year with Carolina," Matheson told The Canadian Press, referring to head coach Carolina Morace, who is in her second year managing the Canadian squad. "It's been a huge jump.
"If you look at our games last year, the way we played was so much different than it is now. We're starting to put into practice what Carolina is trying to get across. And that's the reason we're starting to get results. We're playing the way she wants us to play."
Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc earned the shutout as Canada gave up just two goals throughout the tournament.
"Karina has done a great job," said Matheson. "Erin [McLeod] was in for a game as well.
"They're both amazing keepers, and we very lucky to have them back there."
Canada, which has won two Cyprus Women's Cup titles in three years, collected wins over Switzerland, England and South Africa before getting past New Zealand.
Canada continues preparing for the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup in October. That tournament will automatically qualify two teams for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which will be held in 2011 in Germany.
(Canadian Team pictured, with Erin McLeod in the keeper's top. Tiny Diane Matheson is bottom left, no. 8. Image: YCJ Photos)
Meanwhile, the tournament has proven a great boost to the Kiwi camp.
Last year, the Football Ferns beat the Netherlands and drew with Canada before losing to France on penalties in the playoff for third.
"Canada had a clear edge in experience and you could see that in the way they caught us on the counter in the second half," New Zeland coach John Herdman said.
"We played really well for the first 60 minutes and got in behind the Canadians four or five times in the first half but unfortunately that last bit of quality was lacking.
"This tournament has been a wonderful experience and a massive step forward in consistency and composure.
"We've grown throughout the tournament and been able to turn some of those draws from last year into wins, and turn fourth place into second," Herdman said.
The Cyprus Cup was preparation for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins with Oceania qualifying in Auckland, NZ, in September, but Herdman saw benefits beyond the road to Germany 2011.
"We used seven players tonight aged 21 or under and perhaps only two who are at an age where they would be at their peak.
"Teams playing or watching us have told us they can't believe how young some of our players are...with four or five more years under their belt, who knows what they can achieve?"
Striker Amber Hearn finished joint top of the golden boot standings with four goals from as many games.
In the playoffs to decide final placings, the Netherlands put four goals past Switzerland to claim third, England edged Italy 3-2 to finish fifth, and Scotland beat South Africa 2-1 to avoid the wooden spoon.
