Portland, OR (My Sportsbook) - After their upset of China in the quarterfinals, Canada is hoping the clock won't strike midnight on their Cinderella-like run on Sunday when they face Sweden in a semifinal match at PGE Park in Portland.

Entering USA 2003, Canada was ranked 12th out of the 16-team field and are stunned to be in a position to reach the final.

"Going into the tournament we had high goals," Canada forward Christine Sinclair told the AP. "But to actually do it, it is pretty unbelievable."

What's even more impressive? Canada hadn't even won a World Cup match, in this their third appearance, until defeating Argentina, 3-0 in group play earlier in the tournament.

"This is a dream come true," Sinclair said.

After falling to high-powered Germany, who is in the other semifinal matchup against the U.S. on Sunday, Canada came back with two straight wins to advance out of Group C.

Physical play and an unwillingness to back down have launched Canada into this matchup with the Swedes, who also know a thing or two about persistence.

Sweden lost its first match of Group A to the U.S., 3-1 but then rallied to gut out wins over North Korea and Nigeria in group play before knocking off Brazil in the quarterfinals.

While the U.S./Germany tilt could be an offensive battle, Sweden and Canada could be a defensive struggle.

"They have a tremendous team, and I've said for a long time that Sweden is one of the teams that could win this tournament," said Canada coach Even Pellerud. "They have really impressed coming back from their loss against USA in their first game, and they look stronger and stronger and stronger."

Canada isn't quite content with their jump to the semifinals. Confidence has been a big key to their success and could lift them to even loftier heights.

"We feel we can beat Sweden," said Brittany Timko. "And we feel we can beat whoever comes out of the other semifinal."

Captain Charmaine Hooper scored the lone goal in Canada's upset over China and summed up afterwards how far the North American soccer program has come.

"This is the biggest win for our women's national team. This is bigger than anything we've ever done before," said Hooper. "Four years ago, I would have never imagined us winning a game in the World Cup."

The Canadians will have to contend with the potent Sweden duo of Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson. Svensson has taken the Cup by storm scoring three goals and tallying two assists.

Ljungberg makes the Swedish team's heart beat, but 22-year-old Canadian 'keeper Taryn Swiatek is coming off a great game against China, in which she recorded five enormous saves.

Canada will be without defender Isabelle Morneau, who injured her knee against China. Defenders Breanna Boyd and Candace Chapman are also out.