A record breaking crowd attendance of 53,508 had to wait until injury time to see hosts Canada score the opening goal of the FIFA Women's World Cup versus China PR in the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton last night. It was Canadian captain Christine Sinclair who scored the game winner from the penalty spot to lift the host nation to a tense 1-0 win in injury time.
Both sides hit the post in the first half of the game with China's Lisi Wang coming the closest to opening the scoring when her perfectly curled free kick struck the near post before bouncing onto the far post. A snap shot from Canada's defender Josee Belanger from the edge of the penalty area rattled the crossbar from a well struck volley.
The game was level at half time and looked to be ending in a draw when a controversial penalty call was made when China defender Rong Zhao fouled second half Canadian substitute Adriana Leon.
It was Christine Sinclair who stepped up with the weight of her team on her shoulders but coolly placed her shot into the bottom left corner to clinch all three points. The players were ecstatic after the heroics of the Captain, who ran to celebrate with head coach John Herdman.
Speaking to members of the press after the game Herdman said "I'm pretty embarrassed, I think it's the only time a coach has actually jumped on a player." regarding his celebration and stated "There's only one woman in the world who can get up and do that. "
Highlights of Canada vs China PR Opening Game –
An hour later, the football ferns New Zealand faced debutants the Netherlands in the same stadium. It was a more exciting match up with both sides facing each other five times previously except this time it was on the main stage and brought a new level of tension to the game.
The Netherlands enjoyed a perfect start to their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign with a moment of brilliance from 22 year old Lieke Martens which proved to be the difference between the two sides. Martens strike on the 33rd minute from 25 yards secured the debutants a 1 - 0 victory.
The football ferns New Zealand are now without a win after competing in ten FIFA Women’s World Cup matches and will be desperate for three points against their other Group A opponents China and Canada to ensure they progress from the Group Stages. Speaking to members of the press after the game New Zealand head coach stated, "We played OK in the first half but OK is not good enough in the World Cup."
