It was perhaps not the start to the Olympics that we envisioned, but we got the result and that’s all that matters. Give the Argentines credit: they hung in there, never let us run away with the match, and even made it interesting with 5 minutes left in the game.
In truth, I think that although we went in to the game confident in ourselves and our play of late, we still had to cope with our pre-game jitters–Olympic-sized nervous energy–and deal with the heavy smog and humidity.
The aforementioned conditions affected both teams, though, so they can’t really be used as an excuse, but we haven’t felt such heavy, sticky air in a long time. I am so proud of my teammates and their efforts tonight, and although we didn’t play to our potential, this is a victory we can build on.
Tomorrow will be time to focus on recovery and get our brains attuned to the intricacies and tactics of our Olympic hosts, China. We stayed after our game and watched the first half of the China-Sweden match-up, and China looked very, very good. We will certainly have our work cut out for us, but we are up to the task.
Right now, though, I am off to bed. G’night and thanks for your continued support of my site and the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Awesome game Amy!!!!!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Wow!! Fun game to watch, even at 5am!
It really did seem very hot and humid out there!
Congratulations girls! Keep doing what you do best! and Good luck on saturday’s game vs china!
When you hear the chineese crowd cheering just imagine that there’s thounsands of Canadiens up early morning and cheering for you in front of there TV back home in Canada!
GO CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
It was so worth getting up at 4:30 to watch & cheer you girls on!
Two AMAZING goals by Candace & Kara!
A goal called back by Kara for offside, a crossbar by Martina, a couple glorious opps by Christine – bit of a lapse on their goal – could have easily have been 4 – 0!
Hey, much better than the fate of our friends to the south as they tried to deal with their own early game Olympic jitters! Ouch! They were down 0-2 to Norway after 4 minutes!
Thanks again for doing this – before bed even – hard to wind down tho I would think!
Good Luck on Saturday against China!
Go Canada Go – slowly build that momentum for the knock-out round!
August 6th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Forgot Jodi’s amazing chance – right on the goal line!
August 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Bonjour Amy
ou plutôt bonne nuit étant donné le décalage horaire.
Imagine toi Amy que quand le match a commencé , il y avait une grosse orage sur Montréal. Oui je le dis cette année la saison des pluies est à Montréal.
Ici avec mamam et ma soeur pour vos matchs c’est toujours le rituel des filles en pyjamas devant la télévision avec nos cafés et nos muffins. J’avais deux amies qui sont restées à dormir pour la nuit et on a bien rigolées ensemble. Que du bonheur.
Que des félicitations.
Bien sûr il y a toujours des petites choses à améliorer.J’ai trouvé que les tirs des Canadiennes manquaient de précision vers le but adversaire. C’est une petite critique amicale.
Tu sais sans doute que les Allemandes et les Brésiliennes ont fait match nul 0-0 . Et que les Américaines ont perdues 2-0 aux mains des Norvégiennes. Comme quoi personne n’est invincible et que l’on peut trébucher.
J’espère encore mieux au prochain match du Canada.Je sais que tu as beaucoup de pression comme joueuse substitut: un rôle pas facile….
Oui, oui il faut regarder le match qu’ont joué les chinoises et les Suédoises… y étudier leurs jeux (forces et faiblesses).
Bonne nuit et bonne récupération
Pensée positive pour toi
August 6th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Hey congrats for the beautiful win, you guys totally deserved it. Keep up the good work and efforts and you’ll bring back the GOLD!!!!!
You guys rock….
August 6th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Don’t beat yourself up Rhi, out of bounds for a corner might have been good but that’s with 20/20 hindsight from an armchair quarterback!
The shot that resulted was perfect as well.
You played a great game, you all did. As you know, Defence Wins Championships, so your position is vital. As you have said, every little mistake gets magnified on dee when it ends up in the back of the net. Ask Kate Markraf of the U.S.!
Good Luck Saturday!
P.S. Thanks Amy for the use of your comment section for Rhian. Rhi neeeds a comment section! lol
August 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I’d like to echo the sentiments Wilkinson played a great game against Argentina despite her giveaway.
Lang’s header that turned out to be the match winning goal wouldn’t have happened if Rhian didn’t place the free kick spot on to Kara.
Basically, you’d have to blind to all the great defensive plays away from the ball Rhian made to think she only contributed to her team 1 goal for and 1 goal against.
Carry the momentum to victory against China on Saturday because the nation is mad with GoBigRed fever either at the stadium in Tianjin or across the planet at home watching on CBC!
August 6th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Awesome game!!!!
Keep it going vs China
August 6th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
WINNNER! Loved the game, build on it!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
WOOOOHOOO!!! great game, sooo entertaining.
Lets show that Chinese team who is boss!
go get em’ ladies!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
What can I say? Congratulations on the win, as I have predicted that Canada would win Argentina and congrats to Kara Lang for scoring the winner!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Too cool!! Thanks for taking the time to keep us posted on your Olympic experiences!! Wow… to be representing Canada at the Olympics… must be such a high!!! Good luck to you and the rest of your team on Saturday!!!!!!
August 7th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Totally worth getting up to watch the game even after only 2 hours of sleep. Keep up the good work, hope to see you on the pitch soon.
How are the doggy treats over there?
Kisses to Antie A, oh yes!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Go team go!
Amy you should hear my grandfather (Arnold) talk about you. ‘I didn’t know your friend was such a big star…I mean she sounds like the leader of the team, like Bobby Orr or Gretzky. I see her name eveytime i open the paper.’
He even mailed me some clippings from the Gazette.
August 7th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Congrats on the win, i hope you guys keep getting better and better thru the tourney. Bring home that gold medal, love the site stephanie. keep up the good work hope you get on the field soon. I found that lucky turtle shell that you use to play with. Ciao for now