{
    "title": "Canada beat Finland, book place in Cyprus Cup final",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-05 14:50:06",
    "published_at": "2013-03-08 14:28:00",
    "url": "https://news.canadasoccer.com/canada-beat-finland-book-place-in-cyprus-cup-final",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/jeFd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair scored the goals to help Canada to a 2:1 win over Finland on Wednesday 6 March at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus.",
    "slug": "canada-beat-finland-book-place-in-cyprus-cup-final",
    "body": "<p>The win gives Canada a maximum six points from its first two games at the 2013 Cyprus Women&rsquo;s Cup and clinches the team&rsquo;s place in the tournament final as winners of Group B.</p><p>&ldquo;I was happy with our overall performance today,&rdquo; said Head Coach John Herdman after the game.</p><p>&ldquo;We knew Finland would be a good team and they gave us some nervous moments.</p><p>&ldquo;Thankfully Sinclair and Filigno scored the goals to take us to the final.&rdquo;</p><p><em>Match Highlights: Canada WNT 2:1 Finland</em></p><p>Emmi Alanen gave Finland an early 1-0 lead in the 6th minute when she collected a loose ball and beat Karina LeBlanc with an effort from inside the area.</p><p>Filigno then brought Canada back to level terms when she fired home a shot to the top right corner from the top of the box in the 30th minute. Diana Matheson and Sophie Schmidt combined well in the build-up to the goal, with Schmidt providing the final lay-off for Filigno.</p><p>Canada then took the lead from the penalty spot seven minutes later.</p><p>A long-range strike from Matheson was handled in the area and captain Sinclair converted the penalty to the bottom left corner.</p><p>Finland mounted a late charge in the final 10 minutes of the match and hit the post in the dying stages &ndash; but ultimately Canada held on for the win.</p><p>The Canadians will close out group play at the tournament with a Monday fixture against the Netherlands (local kick-off 17.30: 11.30 ET / 08.30 PT).</p><p>Canada will then make its third consecutive appearance in a Cyprus Cup final on Wednesday 13 March. The team will take on either New Zealand or England pending the result of the final Group A match between the two teams on Monday.</p><p>The win over Finland was Sinclair&rsquo;s return to competitive action following a four-match FIFA suspension.</p><p>Substitute Christina Julien earned her 50th cap on the day.</p><p><a href=\"https://canadasoccer.com/?gid=1110&amp;t=game_summary_soccer_new\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Match Report: Canada WNT 2:1 FIN</a></p><p><em>CANWNT: CAN 2:1 Finland, Reaction</em></p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Integration",
        "last_name": "Integration"
    },
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}