The Canadian women’s soccer team booked its ticket to the 2012 Olympics Friday with an emotional 3-1 win over Mexico at BC Place.
The win sets up a Canada-U.S. final in the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying tournament on Sunday, with both teams assured of a berth in the London 2012 Olympic competition.
The U.S. earned its spot by defeating Costa Rica 3-0 in the other semi-final match.
BC Place was positively buzzing with atmosphere for the Canada-Mexico clash, with 22,954 boisterous fans attending – a record for a women’s game in B.C. and for any CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying game.
Canadian captain Christine Sinclair gave Canada the early lead it desperately wanted when she took a Melissa Tancredi pass in the Mexican box and calmly beat goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago from 10 yards in the 15th minute.
The play was set up by a pinpoint cross from defender Lauren Sesselmann, who played just her second game of the tournament after injuring her knee in Canada’s opening game against Haiti.
Tancredi made it 2-0 eight minutes later when she finished off a low Kelly Parker cross from close range. The goal came shortly after a long Sinclair ball sent Tancredi in alone on the Mexican goal but the veteran Canadian forward shot wide.
