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TORONTO -- The pressure of playing at home, in the biggest match of their young careers, proved costly for Canadas under-20 womens soccer team Tuesday. The Canadians dropped a 1-0 decision to Ghana in the opening game for both teams of the FIFA U-20 Womens World Cup, a disappointing result for a host team thats hoping to go far in this tournament. "This is our first major tournament, and also its at home, we had a lot of people in the stands for us. It was a little added pressure," said forward Nichelle Prince. "We knew it was coming, but its kind of different when you step on the field, and we had to get adjusted to that. It took us a few minutes to do that." Sherifatu Sumaila scored the games lone goal in the 22nd minute against a Canadian team that was on its heels in the early going. Sumaila capitalized on a cross from Edem Atovor, pouncing on a rebound after Canadas keeper Kailen Sheridan had pushed a shot away. "I dont think it was too much pressure, but it was certainly new pressure," said Canadian coach Andrew Olivieri. "The biggest word right now is adapt for them." Olivieri also said it was "a bit of a curse" not having to go through a qualifying tournament prior to the World Cup -- Canada automatically qualified as the host country. So Canada was lacking big-game experience ". . . not playing in big matches that you have to win. So this is the first match theyre faced with the need to get a result," he said. Some 14,834 fans turned out to the National Soccer Stadium -- or BMO Field to its regular tenants, Major League Soccers Toronto FC. The crowd was predominantly red and white, but was dotted with numerous Ghana flags. And a large pocket of Ghana fans stood all game long, dancing and banging drums, their singing growing in volume as the night wore on. If the Ghana fans numbered 1,000, they made it sound like they were 10,000. "We have so many Ghanaians here, they have made us feel at home, and we have felt it," said Ghanas coach Bashir Hayford. "When we advance, when we progress, the number will be quadrupled." Canada brought a different energy to the second half, and a "different quality from all the players." "Thats part of the learning experience, players getting adapted to playing in front of the home crowd, a lot of expectation, a World Cup first for many of them, so it took us too long to adapt," he said. Canada had 55 per cent of the possession against the bigger and faster Ghanaians, and had several decent scoring opportunities. Emma Fletcher banged a shot off the post late in the first half, while Prince, a second-half substitute, beat two defenders to get off a left-footed shot while falling down. The shot went straight into the hands of Ghanas goalkeeper Victoria Agyei. Kadeisha Buchanan, a regular on John Herdmans Canadian senior side, was solid on the back line, and almost scored in injury time, poking at a loose ball during a scramble in front of the net that shot over the crossbar. Asked if he was pleased with his teams performance, Olivieri answered "Nope." "Id say I was pleased with the energy and lot with what the players brought in the later stages, when we were more desperate," he said. "Id love to see better from us, certainly early in the game. A lot more progressive play, a lot more play towards the front, and just a lot more confidence." Sheridan, a keeper Clemson University, said there was added pressure playing on the tournaments first day, and against a strong team such as Ghana. "But I think thats something you have to deal with," she said. "(The crowd) was great, it was crazy walking down the tunnel and seeing all the fans," she added. "It was nice to be in our home country and on our home turf for the first time for me. It just gave me a rush. I was coming (down the tunnel) and I couldnt stop smiling." The Canadians best showing at this tournament came in 2002 when they lost to the United States in the gold-medal game in Edmonton -- the beginning of international careers for the likes of Christine Sinclair and Kara Lang, who would go on to become household names in Canada. Both Canada and Ghana were knocked out in group phase two years ago in Japan. The Canadian team is predominantly all new faces from that 2012 squad, and is mostly made up of players attending U.S. colleges. Ghana has a few returnees from its U20 team two years ago, plus several players who were part of its third-place team at the U17 World Cup in 2012. They come from Ghana club teams such as Fabulous Ladies, Blessed Ladies, and Police Ladies. Canada next plays Finland on Friday in Toronto, then heads to Montreal to face North Korea on Tuesday. The Canadians need to finish top two in Group A to advance to the quarter-finals. The Group A winners will play the quarter-final in Toronto, while second place in the group will head to Edmonton for the quarters. The tournament semifinals are in Montreal and Moncton, N.B., while Montreal hosts the gold-medal game. North Korea beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier Group A game Tuesday. Adidas Shoes Canada Sale .com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. Discount Adidas Shoes Canada . Villar connected off Joe Saunders (11-14), sending a drive well over the left-field fence for his first career homer. The Astros scored six times in the first three innings to chase Saunders. http://www.wholesaleadidasshoescanada.com/. The closer wasnt available. The road trip, a disaster to that point. Adidas Shoes Canada Online ." The game can be seen live on TSN starting with Monday Night Countdown at 6:30 p.m et/3:30 p.m. pt. The Patriots, who had a bye in Week 10, will look to continue the offensive success they had a week earlier when New England scored 55 points and racked up 610 yards of total offense in a 55-31 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wholesale Adidas Shoes Canada . The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics finished their recent trek at 3-1 on Monday in Salt Lake City when Rajon Rondo made a key jumper with 24.1 seconds remaining, as Boston held off the Utah Jazz, 107-102, at EnergySolutions Arena.MAYS LANDING, N.J. -- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault charges stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend in an Atlantic City casino elevator. His lawyer said Rice is "ashamed" and "sorry" about his conduct but would not specify exactly what Rice did. After the five-minute court hearing, Rice applied for New Jerseys pretrial intervention program, which allows for charges to be dismissed against first-time offenders who participate in the program and meet certain conditions. The county prosecutor will decide whether Rice is allowed to enter the program. If not, prosecutors have offered Rice a plea bargain that would spare him jail time if he participates in anger management counselling. "Hes ashamed of his conduct and hes sorry for what he did," attorney Michael Diamondstein told reporters outside the courthouse. "There was a disagreement between him and his wife," Diamondstein said. "He made a mistake. He loves Janay and wants to move forward. This was a momentary lapse of reason." Security video obtained by TMZ Sports shows Rice removing the motionless body of Janay Palmer from an elevator at Revel Hotel Casino on Feb. 15. She did not comment as the two walked into the courthouse. The couple married a day after Rice was indicted. If convicted, Rice could face three to five years in prison. The former Rutgers star walked to the courthouse holding hands with Palmer. He said he is a "happy father and a happy husband.&quuot; When asked by reporters what he hoped would happen, Rice responded, "for you all to have a blessed day.ddddddddddddquot; Originally, Palmer and Rice were charged with simple assault, but the Atlantic County prosecutors office reviewed the case and dropped the charge against Palmer. A grand jury lodged the more serious charge of aggravated assault against Rice. Through her lawyer, Palmer has indicated she does not want the case to proceed. But prosecutor Diane Ruberton said Palmers co-operation is not crucial to it. "Im confident with the evidence we have that I could secure a conviction at trial, with or without her," Ruberton said. She said prosecutors have additional video evidence beyond what was published by the website, but she would not describe its contents. Ruberton said Rices celebrity played no role in the case, adding that plea deals are routinely offered to defendants charged with third-degree crimes, as is the case with Rice. Diamondstein said he expects a decision on whether Rice will be allowed into pretrial intervention within the next few weeks. "Hes an excellent candidate for it," he said. "Hes just a high-character individual. Hes a good guy." The conditions of pretrial intervention would include staying out of trouble for a year, as well as undergoing counselling and remaining gainfully employed, the attorney said. "Theyve been going to counselling and working on some of the issues they have," Diamondstein said. "Theyre very happy." ' ' '