The National U-17 female team the Black Maidens secured a quarter final place despite losing 1-2 to superb Canada in a supremely entertaining game at the Costa Rica tournament.

The Canadians needed nothing less than a win to join the Ghanaians in the quarters and played like their lives depended on it.

Even with ten girls for most part of the second half, the Canadians managed to hold on to victory after a 2 goal lead despite a last gasp consolation by the Maidens.

Marie Levasseur put the Canadians up in the 9th minute with a well curled shot that left Adams completely beaten in post for Ghana. A minute later Flemming had a 20 yard shot parried off the post by Adams.

Lavesseur again increased the tally in the 40th minute with a teasing header from close range. The Ghanaians looked complacent in opening embers and struggled to find their rhythm.

They however had more attempts at goal but Canada made theirs count.

In the second half the Maidens lifted their game by piling lots of pressure on the Canadian side but failed to find the net.

They however managed to get a Canadian girl sent off after she denied a Maiden striker what appeared to be a one-on-one situation with the goal keeper.

With a girl down, the Maidens pounded the goal area for a desperate equalizer. Owusu Ansah after beating her marker struck well in the 70th minute to pull one back.

They pushed more girls forward in an attempt to get a second goal but the Canadians were resolute in defence. 2-1 it ended in favour of Canada but Ghana still managed to sail through to the next stage of the tournament ongoing in Costa Rica