Mississauga's Jonelle Filigno will make her Canadian national women's soccer team debut today at the Four Nations Tournament in Guangzhou, China.
The 17-year-old midfielder from St. Marcellinus Secondary School, who won a gold medal for Ontario at the 2006 under-16 Canadian championships, is one of the youngest players on the team, which departed on Friday for China for the four-team, three-game tournament.
Canada will face the United States tomorrow, China on Friday and Finland on Sunday.
"We are heading to the Four Nations Tournament with a strong team, but also a very young team," said Canadian coach Even Pellerud. "A number of our World Cup veterans are not available due to injury-recovery programs and school commitments."
"Some of our younger talents are piling up," added Pellerud. "Quite a few of these youngsters will enjoy their first international senior experience in China, specifically Kaylyn Kyle, Jonelle Filigno, Alexi Marton and Monica Lam-Feist, Julie Armstrong and Taryn Boudreau."
Canada is ranked ninth in the world (and second in its confederation) by the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Rankings.
Canada will need to finish among the top two teams in the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Tournament to earn a berth in this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.
"This tournament and the three excellent opponents provide an amazing start to the Olympic season," said Pellerud. "The Canadian team will gain valuable match fitness early in the year, which is more crucial than ever due to the early April CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualification Tournament in Mexico."
