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Olympic viewing guide: Can Canada finally upset the U.S. in women's soccer? – CBC.ca

Published

3 years ago

August 1, 2021

This is an excerpt from The Buzzer, which is CBC Sports’ daily email newsletter. Stay up to speed on what’s happening at the Tokyo Olympics by subscribing here.

Andre De Grasse is the world’s third-fastest man. And Penny Oleksiak stands alone.

Day 9 began with Oleksiak anchoring the Canadian women’s 4×100-metre medley relay team to bronze on the closing night of swimming competition. It was her third medal in Tokyo and seventh of her Olympic career, breaking the all-time Canadian record she’d shared with speed skater Cindy Klassen and speed skater/cyclist Clara Hughes (reminder: Penny is just 21 years old). Also winning their third medal of these Games were Oleksiak’s teammates Kylie Masse and Maggie Mac Neil. The latter won Canada’s lone swimming gold in the 100m butterfly. Just like in Rio five years ago, Canadian swimmers finished with six medals, all won by women. Eight national records were broken in the pool, and 10 personal bests set.

This morning on the track, De Grasse took bronze in the men’s 100 metres for the second consecutive Olympics. A second-place finish in his semifinal heat a few hours earlier led to a tough lane assignment, but De Grasse ran a personal-best 9.89 seconds from way out in No. 9 to become the first Canadian ever to reach an Olympic 100m podium twice. In the first Olympic final of the post-Usain Bolt era, and with reigning world champion Christian Coleman suspended, Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs emerged from a wide-open field to win gold in a personal-best 9.80. American Fred Kerley took silver in 9.84 — also a PB.

De Grasse, who also has a pair of world-championship bronze in the 100, kept his podium streak alive. The 26-year-old has won a medal in all six individual races he’s started (100m and 200m) at the Olympics or world championships. He’ll try to make it seven in the 200m, which begins Monday at 10:05 p.m. ET with the first-round heats. The semifinals are Tuesday morning, and the final Wednesday morning.

De Grasse is the first Canadian man to win a medal in Tokyo. The total is now 14 — three gold, four silver, seven bronze. See the full standings and a detailed breakdown of Canada’s hardware here.

Bring on the cheers

Find live streams, must-watch video highlights, breaking news and more in one perfect Olympic Games package. Following Team Canada has never been easier or more exciting.

Another Canada-U.S. soccer classic could be in store

Anytime these two countries meet in any sport, it’s sure to be intense. And that’s certainly the case in women’s soccer. But calling this a rivalry might be a bit generous to Canada, which is 3-51-7 all-time vs. the U.S. women’s national team and hasn’t beaten them in 20 years.

Still, these sides have waged some hard-fought battles — none harder than their epic semifinal at the 2012 Olympics in London. In perhaps the most exciting match in Canadian soccer history, Christine Sinclair scored a hat trick to put her team on the brink of a monumental upset. But a controversial call on goalkeeper Erin McLeod for holding the ball too long resulted in a free kick that resulted in a hand-ball that resulted in U.S. star Abby Wambach converting a penalty kick to tie the match in the 80th minute. Then, in the final seconds of extra time, Alex Morgan buried a header to win it for the Americans, 4-3. They went on to take gold. The devastated Canadians channelled their anger at the referee into winning their country’s first-ever Olympic soccer medal, beating France 1-0 in the bronze match on Diana Matheson’s dramatic goal in injury time.

Nine years later, three of the four women who scored in that classic semifinal are still playing prominent roles on their respective teams. Sinclair, the Canadian captain, scored her all-time record 187th international goal in Canada’s opening match in Tokyo. Morgan also scored once in the group stage. And she and Megan Rapinoe, who had two goals in the 2012 semi, both converted their attempts in the Americans’ penalty-shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Wambach, who’s right behind Sinclair on the all-time goals list, is retired.

The U.S. is still the world’s top-ranked team, and winner of the past two World Cups. But after taking four of the first five Olympic women’s gold medals, they got knocked out in the quarter-finals in Rio by Sweden. The Americans have looked vulnerable in Tokyo too, losing 3-0 to the Swedes in the group stage and drawing Australia 0-0, with a 6-1 rout of New Zealand sandwiched in between. Canada hasn’t exactly knocked anyone’s socks off either, earning 1-1 draws vs. evenly matched Japan and Great Britain and beating Chile 2-1 to finish second in its group. In the quarter-finals, Canada upset Brazil on penalty kicks after 120 minutes of scoreless play.

Despite the Canadians’ awful record against the U.S., the betting odds imply they have close to a 30 per cent chance of pulling off the upset when these teams square off at 4 a.m. ET (thanks for nothing, schedulers). If that happens, Canada will play for gold on Thursday night. If not, they’ll still get to play for their third consecutive bronze medal on Thursday morning vs. the loser of the Sweden-Australia semi. Read more about the Canada-U.S. showdown here.

WATCH | Sinclair’s legacy in women’s soccer:

Christine Sinclair’s legacy is in the numbers, scoring more international goals than any other soccer player. 1:47

Canadian medal chances on Sunday night/Monday morning

As mentioned, there aren’t any strong ones. But three Canadians will compete in track finals: Matt Hughes and John Gay in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at 8:15 a.m. ET and Andrea Seccafien in the women’s 5,000m at 8:40 a.m. ET. Also, Canadian sisters Lucia Stafford and Gabriela DeBues-Stafford will both run in the women’s 1,500m heats.

Some other interesting things you should know about

The Canadian women’s basketball team’s fate is in someone else’s hands. Lots of people’s hands, actually. After closing their group-stage slate last night with a loss to Spain that dropped them to 1-2, the Canadians need one of a bunch of results to go their way to land a wild-card spot in the quarter-finals. Of the potential scenarios that would get Canada in, the most likely is the powerhouse United States beating France by 15 or more. That game tips off at 12:40 a.m. ET.

Canada could have two teams in the women’s beach volleyball quarter-finals. Last night, the 16th-ranked tandem of Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson reached the quarters by upsetting an American duo ranked third. Tonight, reigning world champions Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes will try to join them when they face a 19th-ranked Spanish team at 9 p.m. ET. Pavan and Humana-Paredes breezed through their three group-stage matches without losing a set.

Also…

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is poised to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics. That will happen when the women’s super-heavyweight (over 87kg) competition begins at 6:50 a.m. ET. Hubbard, 43, competed against men before transitioning in her mid-30s. She won a women’s silver medal at the 2017 world championships. While many are celebrating Hubbard’s participation in the Olympics as a milestone for transgender athletes, some question the fairness of allowing her to compete against non-transgender women. But the International Olympic Committee allows it, as long as the transgender athlete keeps her testosterone levels below a certain point. Read more about Hubbard and the debate surrounding her here.

And finally…

Two pals decided to split the men’s high jump gold medal. This was the most heartwarming moment of the day. Longtime friends Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy found themselves the last two jumpers left, and neither had missed an attempt before they each exhausted their three strikes at 2.39 metres. An official proposed a jump-off to decide the winner, but Barshim had a better idea: “Can we have two golds?” The official agreed, and Tamberi leaped into his buddy’s arms to celebrate their shared victory. “He is one of my best friends, not only on the track, but outside the track,” Barshim said. “This is a dream come true.” Read more about this heartwarming display of friendship and watch their tearful celebration here.

How to watch live events

They’re being broadcast on TV on CBC, TSN and Sportsnet. Or choose exactly what you want to watch by live streaming on CBC Gem, the CBC Olympics app and CBC Sports’ Tokyo 2020 website. Check out the full streaming schedule here.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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