A positive first step, but...

They did what they had to do and for the time being that's enough.

You can't read anything too significant into Canada's 6-0 victory over Haiti Thursday in its opening match at the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament in Vancouver.

---

Programming alert: Be sure to tune into Sportsnet to watch live coverage of every game of the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament. You can also watch every game live online at sportsnet.ca. Consult our broadcast schedule HERE

---

Canada, after all, is ranked seventh in the world, compared to No. 62 Haiti, one of the true minnows of the women's game. With this in mind, any result other than a comprehensive victory by the Big Red Machine would have been totally unacceptable.

Games such as this one against lowly Haiti, and the next two versus Cuba and Costa Rica, are merely the hors d'oeuvre served before the big feast. The real test for Canada comes in the semifinals, where a do-or-die showdown with either the United States or Mexico likely awaits them.

And while the Canadian players can feel good about themselves after sending the Vancouver crowd home happy, it's important that they don't get too cocky and remain focused. The worst thing they could do is puff out their chests with pride based on Thursday's performance because it won't be this easy for them against the Americans on Mexicans when an Olympic berth is on the line and the pressure is ten-fold.

Full credit to Christine Sinclair, who bagged four goals in her 168th appearance to increase her career tally to 124. Canada's captain linked up with Sophie Schmidt, Kelly Parker and Christina Julien, and effectively orchestrated a sweeping Canadian attack that featured some intricate passing sequences and lovely movement off the ball.

But then the Haitians rather naively and foolishly played a high defensive line for most of the game, which Sinclair and her cohorts routinely exposed.

It was intriguing to see the tactical influence of coach John Herdman, who like his predecessor favours a technical game, but also believes that sometimes the best option is the most direct one. We saw a bit of that against Haiti, and it'll be interesting to see if the Canadians can continue this mix of direct and possession soccer later on in this tournament when there are serious stakes on the line.

This was also a different Sinclair that was on display: not the powerful forward we've grown accustomed to see powerfully plunder forward with an eye towards goal, Instead, this was a more subtle playmaker who showed great vision and a deft touch on the ball in routinely setting up her teammates with scoring chances.

Again, though, all of this comes with a huge asterisk. It's one thing for Canada's captain to pour on the style against the likes on Haiti; quite another to do it when you're going up against a world-class American team or a pesky Mexican side.

---

Post-game show: From Jan. 19-24, log on to sportsnet.ca at 12:50 am ET each night to watch our live post-game web show, featuring a full recap and analysis of the day's events from Sportsnet commentators in Vancouver.

---

We might also soon find out what kind of depth this Canadian team really boasts.

Talented left back Lauren Sesselmann exited the game just before half time with a knee injury after being the recipient of a crunching tackle. Her potential absence in future games would be a bit of a blow for Canada, as she is noted for her steady defensive play and providing width to the attack with her rampaging runs down the flank.

Chelsea Stewart replaced Sesselmann and looked comfortable playing at left back, but then she didn't have much to do either.

So what did we really learn from this match? Not much to be honest.

Canada gained a little bit of momentum, and hopefully they can build on this over their next two games so that by the time they reach the semifinals they'll be in peak form.