Danone Nations Cup 2009.
Photo by Salvatore Sacco
An east coast/west coast soccer feud ended today with eastern Canada prevailing on the field of battle.
The Canada East team took the 2-1 victory from the western squad with a winning goal scored during overtime on a penalty kick during the national finals on the MBO Field in Toronto.
The 12 winning players, including Mississaugans Sebastian Amaya and Noah Mehta, will now represent Canada in an international soccer tournament being held Oct. 9-11 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Danone Nations Cup 2009 features athletes aged 11-12 from 40 countries competing for soccer supremacy. Each team is comprised of two girls and 10 boys.
A new tradition has been adopted this year to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie. Two players from the Canada West team who are the recipients of the most valuable player and the best sportsmanship awards will be joining the newly formed Canadian team. Awards will be given out in two weeks.
Before leaving for Brazil, the Canadian team will train together at an intensive three-day training camp in Montreal.
They will leave the camp on Oct. 5 or 6 to join more than 3 million youths in the philanthropic tournament in Brazil.
jle@mississauga.net