Canada came from two-goals down to defeat Finland 3-2 in a Group A match of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Toronto, to boost their hopes of reaching the knock-out stage and leave Finland on the brink of elimination.
For a long period in the first half however, it was Canada that looked on the verge of elimination with Juliette Kemppi giving Finland a third minute lead with a close range header before extending the lead midway through the half when she latched on to a back pass.
The comeback was on for Canada however when goals by half-time substitutes Janine Beckie and Valerie Sanderson within five minutes of the second half levelled scores before Nichelle Prince – who had set up the first two goals – pounced on a spilled save off a Beckie shot to put Canada ahead on the 80th minute.
Canada held on for the 3-2 win to go second in Group A behind group leaders North Krea that eased to a 3-0 win over Ghana to all but book a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in a match that saw the referee pick up a knee injury early on.
Ri Un-Sim put the Koreans ahead with a sixth minute header, with the 2006 champions having to wait until the 78th minute before doubling their lead through Un-Sim’s glancing header; 10 minutes after she was denied by the post.
Jo Son-Yon’s stoppage time penalty sealed the result for the Koreans, who now only require a point in their final group match against host nation Canada to finish top of the group.
Ghana meanwhile must avoid defeat against a desperate Finland that must win to have any chance of reaching the last eight of the competition.