Sinclair shines as Canada beats Mexico 3-0 in World Cup send off game

Star edges closer to goal scoring history in international play

Christine Sinclair orchestrated a strong Canadian team performance on Saturday vs. Mexico. Canada Soccer

A dominant display from Canada and a maestro performance from Christine Sinclair created a spectacle for Canadian fans at BMO field on Saturday

Sinclair scored the second goal for Canada in the 53rd minute, putting her just three behind Abby Wambach’s 184 goal record.

With the World Cup just ahead, she is more concerned with that than the record.

“It would be nice, if and when it happens, not going to lie.” said Sinclair, after the Mexico clash. “I’m sure it’ll come but as soon as we get on that plane to Europe, it is all about helping this team try and win the World Cup.”

The veteran assisted another as Canada won their third consecutive game and remain unbeaten (5-0-2) in 2019.

“Proud of the team performance, we dominated them from minute zero and hopefully a performance we can carry forward,” said Sinclair.

Jessie Fleming scored the opener for Canada in the 20th minute with an assist from Sinclair. Adriana Leon put the icing on the Canadian cake in the 83rd minute to give her team a solid 3-0 lead.

Canada could have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Sinclair missed the chance.

But six minutes later she made up for it as Janine Beckie played a great through ball into the penalty box for the Canadian captain who then squared off the ball for Fleming to finish off the quality passing play with a goal in the 20th minute to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

“I hope you go back and look at the first goal and just enjoy it. Just enjoy it because that was a fantastic goal,” said coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller.

Canada ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.

In the 53rd minute, the Mexican defence failed to clear a cross from right back Ashley Lawrence which fell to Beckie and she set up Sinclair for her 181st goal as she calmly put the ball into the net beating Mexico goalie Cecilia Santiago on her near post to the right.

Substitute Adrian Leon scored the third and final goal in the 83rd minute as she got on the end of a cross to the far post by right back Ashley Lawrence.

“I think we showed the depth of the squad and also some of the key players of this team, Christine being one, Desiree Scott, Jessie Fleming – just being at that level where we need them to be heading into the World Cup.,” said Heiner-Moller.

Apart from the starters, the coach was also pleased with the performances off the bench and it seems fifth-ranked Canada have great squad depth going into France.

“If you look at the performance in the first 45, you go ‘You know what, that’s a great lineup.’ And then you look at the last 5-10 minutes in this match and you go, ‘you know what, this is a great lineup.’ That’s a big difference,” said Heiner-Moller.

“If you just have the [starting] XI and then nothing [else], then you would be in trouble. But we’ve actually got some players that can come on the pitch and have an impact. That’s a big advantage.”

Sinclair was presented with Canadian player of the year trophy and Jordyn Huitema was presented with Canadian youth international player of the year trophy in front of a 19,610 crowd before the game kicked off.

The Canadians will face Spain in Pamplona on May 24 before their World Cup Group E opening game vs. Cameroon on 10 June, in Montpellier, France.

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Posted: May 21 2019 11:02 am
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