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Canada did not win a World Cup match until this year. Now, it is one win a way from the championship game.
Canada, having pulled of perhaps the biggest upset in women's World Cup history, takes on Sweden in the semifinals.
Canada advanced to this match Thursday with a 1-0 win over China, one of the favorites entering the Cup. China, which was originally scheduled to host this year's World Cup before the SARS virus outbreak, lost to the United States in the 1999 final.
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``This is the biggest win for our women's national team. This is bigger that
anything we've ever done before,'' said Canada's Charmaine Hooper, whose spectacular
header in the game's seventh minute was the only score. ``Four years ago, I
would have never imagined us winning a game in the World Cup.''
Canada, known for its height and physical strength, lost 4-1 to Germany in its first game, but rebounded with victories over Argentina and Japan to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time. Ticketmaster
``This is a dream come true for me and I think for many other members of our team,'' Canada goalkeeper Teryn Swiatek said.
Sweden advanced with a surprising 2-1 win over Brazil Wednesday. The Swedes, who followed a loss in the opener to the United States with two wins to move into the quarterfinals, went ahead on Malin Andersson's free kick in the 53rd minute.
The Swedes, ranked fifth in the world, broke through in the 23rd minute on a perfect cross from Malin Mostroem that found Victoria Svensson between two defenders. From short range, Svensson's header eluded Andreia.
Sweden last got this far in the first World Cup in 1991.
The winner faces either the United States or Germany in the title game Oct. 12.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Sweden - 2nd place, Group A. Canada - 2nd place, Group C.
TEAM LEADERS: Sweden - Svensson, 3 goals and 7 points; five tied with 1 assist. Canada - Christine Latham, 3 goals and 6 points; four tied with 1 assist.
GOALKEEPERS: Sweden - Caroline Joensson (2-1-0, 2 SO, 1.00 GAA); Sofia Lundgren (1-0-0, 0, 1.00). Canada - Swiatek (3-0-0, 1 SO, 0.33 GAA); Karina Leblanc (0-1-0, 4.00). Ticketmaster
ALL-TIME WORLD CUP RECORDS: Sweden - 11-7-0, 4 appearances. Canada - 3-5-2, 3 appearances.