‘IT’S OURS TO LOSE’
Canada gets good draw
Canada received a favourable draw Monday in its road to the Olympic women’s soccer tournament.
The Canadian women, ranked 11th in the world, were drawn in Group B in Houston with No. 48 Trinidad & Tobago, No. 84 Guatemala and No. 92 Guyana for the Feb. 10-21 CONCACAF qualifier.
The top-ranked United States, as host country, was placed in Group A in Frisco, Texas, with No. 26 Mexico, No. 34 Costa Rica and No. 115 Puerto Rico.
The two finalists will represent North and Central America and the Caribbean at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 12-team Olympic field.
The Americans got the tougher pool but should not be troubled given their status as reigning world champion with an 18-0-4 record since its last loss — 2-0 to France in February.
The Americans have been to all five women’s Olympic soccer tournaments, winning gold four times, including the last three competitions. Canada won bronze in 2012 and finished eighth in 2008 after losing to the U.S. in the quarterfinals.
Monday’s draw likely sets up a final between Canada and the U.S. The Canadians, who will look to win their pool to avoid meeting the U.S. prior to the final, will probably have to get past Mexico in the semifinal.
Canadian coach John Herdman said Canada will be favoured in its group given its blend of experience and young talent.
“When you put that together we are the strongest team in the group, we should be,” he told a conference call after the draw. “And it’s ours to lose.”
He called the draw “a bit of a surprise, but it was a nice surprise at the same time.”
The Canadians will take nothing for granted, he added.
“I don’t think we can’t take any team in our group likely. There’s definitely some challenges in there.”
Canada will open Feb. 11 against Guyana before facing Trinidad & Tobago on Feb. 14 and Guatemala on Feb. 16.