England Women Win Cyprus Cup

England confirmed their growing status in world football with a convincing 3-1 Cyprus Cup final victory over Canada at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia yesterday. Having, in the group stage, beaten South Africa and Scotland, and drawn with France - who sit two places above England at eighth in the world rankings - Hope Powell's team defeated a Canadian side to whom they had lost 4-0 in each of their previous two meetings.

Canada, now ranked one place lower than England, took an early lead through Christine Sinclair, but by half-time Powell's team were firmly in control following goals by Lianne Sanderson, Kelly Smith and Fara Williams. A controlled second-half display then ensured victory and a first trophy in Powell's 11 years as national coach.

"To get to a final and then win it was great experience for the girls and showed just how far we've come since we last played Canada," said Powell, for whom the tournament was principally a build-up event for August's European Championship finals. "We're still developing as a team," she added, "so let's enjoy the moment and then get back to our preparation work because even better performances will be required at the Euro finals."

England (4-4-1-1): Brown (Everton); A Scott (Boston Breakers), Asante (New York Sky Blue), Houghton (Leeds Carnegie), Stoney (Chelsea); Carney (Chicago Red Stars), J Scott (Everton; Chapman, Arsenal, 63), Williams (Everton), S Smith (Leeds Carnegie); K Smith (Boston Breakers); Sanderson (Chelsea; Aluko, St Louis Athletica, 71).

Canada (4-4-2): LeBlanc; Timko, Zurrer, Franko (Andrews, h-t), Booth; Parker, Kyle (Walsh, 60), Matheson, Stewart (Nault, h-t); Sinclair, Tancredi (Vermeulen, 71).