Canada To Compete In Algarve Cup

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Women’s World Cup Team will compete against three fellow World Cup qualifiers at the 10th annual Algarve Cup in Portugal in March 2003. The Canadians were put in one of the strongest groups of the tournament with the United States, France and Sweden (all of whom have qualified for the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup).



This will mark the fourth consecutive year Canada has been invited to play at the tournament, which has become the most prestigious women’s soccer competition outside of the World Cup and Olympic Games. Canadian head coach Even Pellerud was pleased with being placed in Group A, as the games will help him in his preparations for the World Cup in China in September 2003.



“All our games area against World Cup teams,” said Pellerud. “This alone tells you how important the Algarve Cup has become. It is becoming more and more attractive every year and I will do my best to get my players released as this tournament will play an important part in our preparations for China.”



Pellerud does not expect to have too many difficulties in securing his players for the competition. He has three players who are signed with WUSA teams in Charmaine Hooper, Sharolta Nonen and Karina LeBlanc, while the majority of his team play at US colleges.



“The WUSA coaches know this is a good tournament and will be good for their players as it still preseason for them. I am also hopeful we will not have any problems gaining the release of our US college players.”



Canada will play their round robin games on March 14, 16, 18 and their placement game on the 20th. Prior to the tournament, Pellerud will organize a training camp in February at a location to be determined at a later date.



10th Annual Algarve Cup



Group A

Canada

USA

France

Sweden



Group B

China

Norway

Denmark

Finland



Group C

Portugal

Wales

Greece

TBA