By David Gold
May 31 – CONCACAF has confirmed that the women’s football qualifying tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games will take place at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver from January 19 until 29 next year.
Canada, the United States, Mexico, three Caribbean teams and two from central America will compete in the event, with the top two sides going on to play in the summer tournament at the Olympics.
It is the third time the qualification tournament has taken place after similar competitions for the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Games.
The United States beat Canada on penalties in the 2008 tournament.
BC Place Stadium will be the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who recently began their first season in the Major Soccer League.
It is an indoor stadium which was used for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and is currently being renovated to seat 54,500 spectators as well as having a retractable roof fitted.
“I’m confident British Columbians will show their enthusiastic support when the Canada’s Women’s National Team plays before a home audience for an opportunity to represent our country in the London Olympics,” said British Columbia’s Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong.
“This international tournament will provide a superb opportunity for British Columbians to support our summer athletes.”
A qualifying tournament for the men will be taking place in the United States next March.
Prior to the Olympic qualifiers, the Women’s World Cup will take place next month in Germany.
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