Canadian coach says group stage at U-20 Women’s World Cup offers variety of challenges

Andrew Olivieri, the coach of Canada’s national U-20 women’s team, made himself available to the media on Thursday, but he chose not to say very much. In Japan as Canada finalizes its preparations for the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Olivieri spoke to media in a conference call, but didn’t really want to single out any of his players and didn’t want to discuss Canada’s formation or style of play. It’s all part of the cloak-and-dagger operations that go on ahead of the major tournaments. Teams close ranks and keep their preparations as private as possible. But, at the same time, we are in the wake of Canada’s bronze medal in the Olympic women’s soccer competition. Some of these U-20 players, most notably Christabel Oduro, will get a chance to be on the senior women’s team roster in time for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. So the Canadian Soccer Association has to ensure that the PR machine around women’s soccer keeps humming. And, so, Olivieri was in the spotlight — even though he couldn’t say all that much. Canada opens the tournament Aug. 20 against Argentina, then faces Norway Aug. 23 and North Korea Aug. 27. Olivieri wants his team to get out of the group stage and face the likes of the United States, Germany or China in a quarter-final, so his charges can play against the best. But, first, Canada must navigate the group stage. “All three of the teams are extremely different,” said Olivieri of the competition. Argentina is physical, and still plays with a sweeper; Norway is disciplined, organized and blessed with players who are much larger than the Canadian charges. And North Korea? “It’s very difficult to get information on them. They haven’t played many friendlies publicly,” said Olivieri. But, we do know that 13 of the North Korean U-20s played for their country in the recently Olympic tournament. As for Oduro, who in March got a look from coach John Herdman at a Canadian senior camp, and was the star of Canada’s march through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, her role has changed. Olivieri admitted he has done some tinkering. She’s been moved back to the midfield, where she’ll likely be expected to pull strings for the scoring stars, Jenna Richardson and Nkem Ezurike. “The position (midfield) was totally unfamiliar to her,” Olivieri said of Oduro. “It’s something different for the future.” But, with Richardson, who scored in a 2-2 draw in a recent friendly with Japan and scored twice against Italy, and Ezurike likely to provide the threat up top, Oduro will be asked to become more of a playmaker. It’s a good problem for Olivieri to have — to try and juggle a number of offensive talents. Ezurike and six of her teammates with the Laval Cometes were named to the team. The team is filled with players who spent the summer in the W-League. Five came from the Toronto Lady Lynx. Three more, including Richardson, played with the Whitecaps. The players, many who are in the NCAA, were encouraged by Olivieri to play in the W-League — and the fact that so many were concentrated on so few teams means that the national team that has some built-in chemistry. “It was a big bonus for us,” he said. “And a crucial part of the preparation.” RELATED: Laval dominates Canadian women’s roster named for U-20 World Cup (CLICK) Strong U-20 performances earn Oduro call-up to senior women’s team (CLICK)