The final of Cyprus Cup saw Rachel Yankey scoring a stunning goal in order to help England beat Canada by a goal. Hope Powell, the manager of the team was banking on England to beat Canada the same way they did in the 2009 final. Rachel Yankey who plays for Arsenal scored in the 70th minute to help England lift the trophy. The manager was happy with the performance of the girls and said that they implemented the tactics well and stuck to the game plan and hence clinched the title. She admitted that Canada had a strong physical team which won the bronze medal in the last Olympics but they managed to deal with the threat and win the Cyprus Cup. Team Great Britain, which comprised mainly of English players lost to Canada in the quarter finals of the 2012 Olympics and the victory proved to be a sort of a revenge while proving that the team has what it takes to be successful in the future.
Hope Powell believed that his team made a lot of good chances and hence it was inevitable that they would score. She seemed pleased to have won the match with a stunning goal and was happy to see that his team went on playing well and creating chances. With preparations on for Euro 2013 which is only four months away, Powell admitted that a victory here was much needed and would prove to be a morale booster for the entire team. She said that to win such a prestigious tournament and that too after scoring such a beautiful goal will provide the team with a major confidence boost ahead of the Euros.
Ellen White, playing at the right wing along with the striker Eni Aluko gave England a good start as they collaborated well to make good chances right from the start of the game but Aluko missed two easy chances and hence could not give England the deserved lead in the game in the first half. Eni Aluko, who plays for Chelsea hit a twelve yard shot wide and also hit a volley high above the bar from a good scoring position. Both the chances went begging. In the second half, England continued to press and create chances and deservedly scored the first and only goal of the match as Rachel Yankey hit a brilliant volley from Clarke’s cross. England were on the verge of scoring yet again when Rachel Williams and Clarke missed tow easy chances in order to seal off a good and deserved victory.
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