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Captain Christine Sinclair scores twice in Canada win over Korea at Algarve Cup

LAGOS, Portugal — Christine Sinclair scored twice and helped set up another to help Canada to a 3-0 win over South Korea at the Algarve Cup soccer tournament Monday.
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Christine Sinclair at the Algarve Cup women’s soccer tournament. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

LAGOS, Portugal — Christine Sinclair scored twice and helped set up another to help Canada to a 3-0 win over South Korea at the Algarve Cup soccer tournament Monday.

The goals raised Sinclair’s career tally to 172, just 12 behind retired American Abby Wambach’s international record of 184 goals.

Sinclair opened the scoring in the 24th minute, banging home a rebound from her own penalty kick after fullback Allysha Chapman was taken down in the box.

Jessie Fleming, a 19-year-old midfielder earning her 50th cap, made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute with a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty box from a Sinclair setup. It was her fifth goal for Canada.

The 34-year-old captain from Burnaby, B.C., making her 265th appearance for Canada, then padded the lead in the 79th minute by tapping the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

Sinclair also scored in Canada’s 1-0 win over Russia earlier at the tournament.

“Sinclair has played back-to-back 90-minute games and she’s in incredible physical condition,” said Canada coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller. “It’s always a pleasure working with someone like her, a world-class talent, and I’m looking forward to working with her as we move towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, improved to 2-1-0 at the tournament after losing 3-1 to No. 10 Sweden and beating No. 25 Russia. The Koreans are ranked 14th.

“Tonight we demonstrated the kind of intensity and level of play we expect of ourselves, so this was a better match, but we were building towards it and I think it shows that this team continues to be a real force,” said Heiner-Moller.

“This tournament is about getting ready for the CONCACAF women’s championships later this year, to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. We’ve had the opportunity to work on some things that are really going to benefit us moving through this year. Now, we will wait to see who we play in our final match (Wednesday), but I am really pleased.”

Monday’s game at the Estadio Municipal de Lagos marked the first cap and start for forward Jenna Hellstrom. Kailen Sheridan started in goal for Canada.

The Canadian women improved to 7-1-0 against Korea.