Yekka a Bright Spot in Canada WNT’s Scoreless Draw with Mexico
A scoreless draw at home in Vancouver wasn’t something Canada’s Women’s National Team was hoping for on Sunday, but despite an admittedly lackluster performance against Mexico, there were still reasons to be pleased.
When Rhian Wilkinson went down with an injury in the first half, 16-year-old Sura Yekka was called upon for her second cap after making her debut in Edmonton against Korea Republic last month.
Yekka admitted to being nervous in the game in Edmonton but if she was feeling the nerves in Vancouver, she certainly wasn’t showing it.
“She was a real bright spot,” Canada Head Coach John Herdman said in his post-match press conference. “If anything she was pretty much showing the way in terms of a real positive attitude in terms of taking it to Mexico. I think a couple of players fed of her energy. I think that was real bright spark.”
For most of his team’s performance, Herdman was blunt in his assessment as the team builds towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
Canada had plenty of chances to break the deadlock but couldn’t find the opening. While the first half was relatively even with both teams coming close to the winning goal, Canada poured on the pressure in the second half.
“We had some moments. We’re progressing,” Herdman said. “At times we were stringing 16 or 17 passes together and finishing with a cross or a shot so I’ll take that at his stage but it’s still a long way off 2015.”