Canada tops Costa Rica to reach Rio Olympics
Initially, it looked as if Christine Sinclair’s ballerina act would be icing on the cake.
Ultimately, Canada needed every bit of the legend’s world-class effort to complete its Road to Rio with a victory Friday.
A second-half penalty kick by Costa Rica built drama down the stretch, but Canada had little trouble seeing out its 3-1 triumph at BBVA Compass Stadium. The victory clinched an Olympic berth this summer in Brazil.
Canada advances to Sunday’s CONCACAF final against the United States, which beat Trinidad and Tobago 5-0. For several Canadians like Sinclair, 32, this is their third Olympics.
“It never gets old,” she said. “I’ve been on both sides of the game tonight. It’s not as easy as it seems to qualify out of CONCACAF. I’m just going to enjoy it. It’s a childhood dream for all of us to be in the Olympics.”
Sinclair has 161 goals in her international career, including the first two Friday. Few were as pretty as the one in the 52nd minute.
After a weak clearance by Costa Rica, Sinclair pounced on the ball just inside the top of the penalty area. With her back to the goal, she flicked it to her right with her right foot and then turned to hit it with her left foot.
The shot went high and then fell in time to hit the underside of the bar and into the goal for a 2-0 lead.
“I really don’t know what happened. I’ll have to see it again,” Sinclair said. “It’s one of those things you dream about.”
Canada coach John Herdman, on the other hand, had a great view of it.
“You’d just have to see my reaction,” Herdman said.
Sinclair also scored in the 17th minute. She settled a cross with her chest and then hit a right-footed shot for a 1-0 lead.
Costa Rica had a few moments when it looked dangerous. Its best opportunity in the run of play was sniffed out by former Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod when she raced off her line to scoop up a through ball in the box.
McLeod had little chance to save a penalty kick by Raquel Rodriguez in the 72nd minute. That put Costa Rica within a goal at 2-1.
With Costa Rica pressing in search of an equalizer, Canada had plenty of room to work on the counter. Deanne Rose, 16, scored for Canada in the 86th minute
With mission accomplished, the Canadians turn their focus to a matchup with the United States on Sunday.
“Our job here isn’t done,” Sinclair said. “We have another game against the best team in the world.”