Ferreira-James enhances World Cup chances
Guyana Chronicle
November 19, 2002

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GUYANA’S top FIFA referee, Dianne Ferreira-James has enhanced her chances of officiating next year in women’s World Cup football, to be staged in China in September.

Ferreira returned home a few days ago after carrying the whistle in the women’s Gold Cup final, staged at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, USA.

The final saw the home team clashing with Canada, a repeat of the Under-19 World Cup final, which was held in Canada in September where Ferreira-James was also the referee.

A golden goal by star player Mia Hamm in the fourth minute of sudden death extra time earned the USA a hard-fought victory.

Tiffany Melbert had sent the USA into the lead in the first half with Sharmaine Hooper equalising for Canada.

The teams were deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Hamm’s late introduction however sealed the issue. She was brought into the game late after suffering an injury when USA met Trinidad and Tobago.

Ferreira-James’s assistants in the final were again Maria Isabel Tovar Diaz of Mexico and Linda Bravo of Trinidad and Tobago while the fourth official was Varnette Layne of The Bahamas.

Ferreira-James had earlier served as fourth official in the USA/Mexico encounter, played at the Rose Bowl Stadium and the Mexico/Trinidad and Tobago clash at the Fafeco Field in Seattle Washington while refereeing the game between USA and Trinidad and Tobago at the Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California.

While Ferreira-James is eagerly looking forward to next year’s World Cup, she told Chronicle Sport that there are several other major tournaments, including the 2004 Olympic Qualifying competition to be played before. (Frederick Halley)

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