So, it's a four nations tournament. Canada's up against the host team, a reputable contender in the women's game. Canada goes down to the hosts, but mounts a comeback in the second half. Then, late in the game, captain Christine Sinclair steps up and delivers a momentous goal to give Big Red the result they were looking for.
Yep, 2011 has started much the same way 2010 ended, except this time, the tournament's host is China (rather than Brazil), and the result was a 3-2 victory in the opening match of the tourney over in Chongqing. Sinclair scored a brace, giving her 114 on her career, with Melissa Tancredi scoring Canada's first goal, to begin the comeback from a 2-0 halftime deficit.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Canada's unbeaten streak now stands at 11 games (dating back to, funnily enough, their 3-1 win over China last fall). In fact, the team's last loss was a thumping at the hands of Germany, in Germany. Canada also opens the World Cup against Germany, in Germany. Would be an interesting little subplot if the ladies ran their unbeaten streak all the way till June, don't you think? (Not to jinx it or anything.)
And it could well be possible, since the previously-invincible Americans have lost for the second time in a few months, falling 2-1 to Sweden earlier today at the same Four Nations tournament.
Big Red gets the U.S. at (I believe) 6:05 a.m. ET on Sunday. While there was a webstream available of Canada-China, that was likely due to the fact that the host side was involved. But if we get any info on a web feed of the game, we will pass the word along.
Lastly, a heart kudos to Ingrid, Bobbo and anyone else who was awake at a preposterous hour to follow Canada v. China live. Following our national teams isn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but when it finally pays off in the biggest way, it sure will be sweet.