_Sub-20: Canadá e EUA qualificam-se para o Mundial

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Christabel Oduro helped set up three goals and scored two of her own to lead Canada a 6-0 victory over Panama in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship on Friday and earn it a fifth trip to the Under-20 Women's World Cup.

Panama was limited to a handful of opportunities and no shots on goal while Canada was dominant in possession, but also likewise struggled to create dangerous chances in the first half.

Resumo do Jogo

The victory was the most lopsided win for Canada in the tournament, eclipsing the 5-0 win over Haiti in its opener. It was the second straight 6-0 loss for Panama, which was beaten by the United States in their Group B finale on Tuesday.

The United States qualified for the U-20 Women's World Cup for the sixth straight time, beating Mexico 4-0 on Friday in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship.

Julie Johnston, Morgan Brian and Lindsey Horan all tallied first-half goals, and Kealia Ohai added an impressive 81st-minute strike to send the United States to a comfortable win and a Sunday final against either Canada or Panama.

Mexico will have another chance to qualify for a fourth straight World Cup and fifth overall when it faces the loser from Friday's second semifinal between Canada and Panama in Sunday's third-place game immediately before the championship match.

Notícia: www.concacaf.com

(vale a pena ver os golos)

_Kelly Smith e Alex Scott voltam ao Arsenal

Arsenal Ladies are delighted to announce the return of Kelly Smith and Alex Scott to the Club.

The pair, who had been playing their football for Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer League return to England following the suspension of the 2012 season in the United States.

Smith, now coming into her third stint with Arsenal, is one of the most decorated female players in world football.

Honoured with an MBE in 2008, the 33-year-old forward has featured in the top five of the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year rankings four times in her 18-year career. For England, she has taken in three European Championships and two World Cups, racking up 45 goals in 111 games for her country along the way.

Kelly has enjoyed significant success in the US with the New Jersey Lady Stallions, Philadelphia Charge, New Jersey Wildcats and Boston Breakers but some of her most prolific years came in her last stint in an Arsenal shirt. Between 2005 and 2009 Kelly featured 112 times for the Gunners, scoring 100 goals to help the team to four league titles, three FA Cups and a European title.

Alex Scott, Kelly’s team-mate at Boston Breakers, has made an equally impressive contribution to the Arsenal Ladies since first joining the academy in 1992 at the age of eight.

As well as scoring the match-winning goal in the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup final – which confirmed the Gunners as the first-ever British champions of Europe’s elite competition, the 27-year-old full-back has helped the side to nine league titles and seven FA Cups in her 172 senior appearances to date.

Like Kelly, an integral part of the England side, Alex has represented her country 87 times, featuring in two European Championships and two World Cups since making her debut in 2004.

Both players will be eligible to play for Arsenal Ladies with immediate effect, and will be available for selection for the Gunners’ first home game of the season – Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Gothenburg.

Arsenal Ladies general manager Vic Akers said: “Kelly and Alex have both grown up with the Club so it feels like they’re coming home now and we’re delighted to be welcoming them back. They are players of exceptional quality and will be a huge boost to the whole squad ahead of the new season.

"For them to return in time for our FA Cup tie on Sunday and next Wednesday’s Champions League match with Gothenburg is a major bonus too. We’re really looking forward to seeing the pair back in action in the season ahead."

Notícia: www.arsenal.com