Canada advance from the group with one game in hand after a comfortable win against Bolivia.
This was without doubt our most important game during the group stage. Yet again, we came out flying, troubling the Bolivian defence very early on, but, this time, not scoring. Perry Ferreira hit the bar, and Santos Hernando caught Fabian Currie's rebound. The deadlock was short-lived, as Carlos Eldridge gave us the lead with a shot that Hernando should have done better with. Though Bolivia started to put pressure on the Canadian defence, Angel Vang was rarely troubled, and, soon, a long ball from Blake Thornton reached Currie, who sped towards the goal before beating Hernando and doubling Canada's lead. He nearly scored again almost immediately after, but instead the Bolivian crossbar was rattled for the second time in the game. Eventually, Seguinus Socorro became the first player to beat Vang in this year's confederations cup, and Bolivia continued to create chances. However, it was Canada who headed into the break with a deserved 2-1 lead.
They continued to threaten in the second half, and Ferreira nearly scored his first of the game on two occasions, first hitting the side netting, then seeing Hernando deflect his long-range effort onto the post. Bolivia also went close, but Vang did well to save shots from Socorro and Everardo Barbot. Finally, Terrance Bryson took Ferreira's pass, beat Jeronimo Vinegra, and raced towards the penalty area, before coolly sealing the win.
This game was probably of no surprise to many. Although Bolivia had their chances, and were miles better than any team we'd faced up to this point, Canada were comfortably the better team throughout the match, and 3-1 was a fair score.
Mikexvi again avoided any changes to the line-up, while Bolivia fielded a 4-3-3 (4-2-1-1-2). None of our strikers played particularly well, but the defence was impressive. Vang made quite a few saves, and McCullough was a rock. So, for me, the man of the match was: Cyrille McCullough.
So, Canada has now mathematically clinched a spot in the round of 16, with only one game left in the group stage (against Angola). Well done mikexvi, fyrewurx, and hope321!
Valere Kendall and Shad Marcus were both cautioned for Canada, whilst Bolivia's lone booking belonged to Bikendi Carmona.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Canada 11-0 Kazakhstan: 2009 Senior ConfedCup
Can we please have some competition? Canada obliterates Kazakhstan as Eldridge gets his act together.
Yet again, Canada only played a couple minutes before breaking the deadlock. This time, it was Fabian Currie who scored the first. Blake Thornton was unlucky to see his shot come back off the bar just a few minutes later, but Currie soon made it 2-0, and Perry Ferreira added another in the 24th minute to make it 3-0 after half an hour played. However, the Kazakhs went close to pulling one back when Andrey Bryukhov hit the bar after finding himself with plenty of time and space. After a corner that resulted soon after was cleared, Currie sent Carlos Eldridge through on breakaway, who didn't disappoint, making it 4-0 Canada. Eldridge scored another in the 42nd minute, and the score was 5-0 at half-time. Currie had a few good chances early in the second half, but it was Eldridge who made it 6-0, thus recording a hat trick, when his shot was mishandled by Aleksandr Kazakov and trickled in. Currie sealed a hat trick of his own three minutes later, before Eldridge scored his fourth and Canada's eighth with only about twenty minutes left. Ferreira scored number nine, and Terrance Bryson, for the first time so far in the tournament, got on the score sheet with a well-taken goal that ensured Canada had scored at least ten for the second game in a row. Finally, Currie scored with a long-range shot that seemed to go straight through Kazakov, and so the final score was 11-0 for Canada.
The Kazakhs played a 3-2-3-2 with a use wings style of play. They conceded a fair few throw-ins, but did manage to create a few chances which they couldn't finish. Their defence - which includes the goalkeeper - was poor, and allowed Canada to cake-walk their way through to goal after goal. Again, mikexvi did not change the line-up and formation that were used in the last two games.
Eldridge probably had his best game so far, and Currie again played well. Ferreira had an off-day, only finding the net twice, which is quite disappointing considering his previous performances. Germain Rangel had a stand-out performance himself in defence. Though he has not played many games for Canada up until now, he was solid breaking down attacks and starting them. He was not at all afraid to go forward! So, I'd say the man of the match award would be a tie between Rangel and Eldridge.
However, despite a dominating start, it's worth noting that all the teams we faced are puny. Bolivia will be our first (and perhaps only) true test of the group stages.
Yet again, Canada only played a couple minutes before breaking the deadlock. This time, it was Fabian Currie who scored the first. Blake Thornton was unlucky to see his shot come back off the bar just a few minutes later, but Currie soon made it 2-0, and Perry Ferreira added another in the 24th minute to make it 3-0 after half an hour played. However, the Kazakhs went close to pulling one back when Andrey Bryukhov hit the bar after finding himself with plenty of time and space. After a corner that resulted soon after was cleared, Currie sent Carlos Eldridge through on breakaway, who didn't disappoint, making it 4-0 Canada. Eldridge scored another in the 42nd minute, and the score was 5-0 at half-time. Currie had a few good chances early in the second half, but it was Eldridge who made it 6-0, thus recording a hat trick, when his shot was mishandled by Aleksandr Kazakov and trickled in. Currie sealed a hat trick of his own three minutes later, before Eldridge scored his fourth and Canada's eighth with only about twenty minutes left. Ferreira scored number nine, and Terrance Bryson, for the first time so far in the tournament, got on the score sheet with a well-taken goal that ensured Canada had scored at least ten for the second game in a row. Finally, Currie scored with a long-range shot that seemed to go straight through Kazakov, and so the final score was 11-0 for Canada.
The Kazakhs played a 3-2-3-2 with a use wings style of play. They conceded a fair few throw-ins, but did manage to create a few chances which they couldn't finish. Their defence - which includes the goalkeeper - was poor, and allowed Canada to cake-walk their way through to goal after goal. Again, mikexvi did not change the line-up and formation that were used in the last two games.
Eldridge probably had his best game so far, and Currie again played well. Ferreira had an off-day, only finding the net twice, which is quite disappointing considering his previous performances. Germain Rangel had a stand-out performance himself in defence. Though he has not played many games for Canada up until now, he was solid breaking down attacks and starting them. He was not at all afraid to go forward! So, I'd say the man of the match award would be a tie between Rangel and Eldridge.
However, despite a dominating start, it's worth noting that all the teams we faced are puny. Bolivia will be our first (and perhaps only) true test of the group stages.
Canada 10-0 Senegal: 2009 Senior ConfedCup
Canucks breeze their way to a third straight win in a double-digit destruction of Senegal.
Canada had the lead within two minutes, after Perry Ferreira brought down Fabian Currie's free kick, and scored his first of the game. He made it two in the 18th minute, and scored his hat trick in the 43rd with a stunning shot from well outside the 18-yard box. By that time, Carlos Eldridge had gotten one himself, and Fabian Currie beat Kristopher Barber - who really should have done better - from a very tight angle. Eldridge scored again just before half-time, after Ferreira found him unmarked. Fabian Currie made it 7-0 after 57 minutes, and Ferreira scored his fourth soon after. Currie sealed a hat trick of his own with ten minutes to go, but Eldridge finished with just two after being denied first by the post, and then twice by Barber. With the ninety minutes almost up, Perry Ferreira received the ball in the area, and was fouled by Craig Birchall. Not only was the Senegalese defender given a straight red card, but Canada had a penalty. Shad Marcus put the icing on the cake by successfully converting his spot-kick to make the final score 10-0.
A satisfactory performance if we remember how bad the team we were playing really is. Senegal fielded a strange 2-3-3-2 formation, while Canada went with the exact same 3-3-1-3 line-up that played against South Africa. Carlos Eldridge again didn't seem as good as he has often proven to be, and seeing substitute striker Terrance Bryson fail to score for the third straight game is worrying. Still, Ferreira shone yet again, and Currie had his best game so far. Naturally, there were no poor performances in midfield and at the back, but no stand-outs either. I'll give the man of the match award in this game to Fabian Currie.
Canada had the lead within two minutes, after Perry Ferreira brought down Fabian Currie's free kick, and scored his first of the game. He made it two in the 18th minute, and scored his hat trick in the 43rd with a stunning shot from well outside the 18-yard box. By that time, Carlos Eldridge had gotten one himself, and Fabian Currie beat Kristopher Barber - who really should have done better - from a very tight angle. Eldridge scored again just before half-time, after Ferreira found him unmarked. Fabian Currie made it 7-0 after 57 minutes, and Ferreira scored his fourth soon after. Currie sealed a hat trick of his own with ten minutes to go, but Eldridge finished with just two after being denied first by the post, and then twice by Barber. With the ninety minutes almost up, Perry Ferreira received the ball in the area, and was fouled by Craig Birchall. Not only was the Senegalese defender given a straight red card, but Canada had a penalty. Shad Marcus put the icing on the cake by successfully converting his spot-kick to make the final score 10-0.
A satisfactory performance if we remember how bad the team we were playing really is. Senegal fielded a strange 2-3-3-2 formation, while Canada went with the exact same 3-3-1-3 line-up that played against South Africa. Carlos Eldridge again didn't seem as good as he has often proven to be, and seeing substitute striker Terrance Bryson fail to score for the third straight game is worrying. Still, Ferreira shone yet again, and Currie had his best game so far. Naturally, there were no poor performances in midfield and at the back, but no stand-outs either. I'll give the man of the match award in this game to Fabian Currie.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Canada 7-0 South Africa: 2009 Senior ConfedCup
It's the Perry Ferreira show: center forward scores five, Eldridge adds two, and Angel Vang keeps clean sheet in another easy game for Canada
As expected, Canada were all over their opponents from the start. Against a strange and inefficient formation, the Canucks created quite a few chances, but Carlos Eldridge and Perry Ferreira in particular found themselves being thwarted by goalkeeper Hanile Thokozani. The South Africans held firm for just over half an hour, until Ferreira finally broke the deadlock when he scored on his own rebound after seeing Thokozani save his first shot. However, they could not find a second, and headed into the break leading by only one.
They seemed to return revitalised, as Ferreira scored again just a couple minutes in, after controlling Eldridge's cross from the right, and slotting past Thokozani. He only had to wait three more minutes to score his hat trick, when Thokozani deflected Fabian Currie's shot to Ferreira, who easily shot into the open net to make it 3-0 after 54 minutes. In the 58th minute, he scored again on a breakaway, and with just about an hour gone, Eldridge got in on the fun with a low strike from just outside the box. By now, the Canadians were scoring goals for fun whilst Thokozani was a shadow of what he had been in the first half. Ferreira scored his fifth in the 68th minute, and Eldridge made it seven in the 72nd. However, that was the last goal Canada scored, and so 7-0 was the final score. Blake Thornton received the game's only yellow card in the first half.
Canada were in complete control, with 72% posession and an 18-2 lead on SC's. They should have scored more against an awful formation (1-3-1-2-1-2: 3 stikers, two attaking midfielders on the wings, once central defender, three defensive midfielders/defenders, and a lone sweeper). Canada again went with a 3-3-1-3 with the same starters except in defence. Valère Kendall playing in central defence instead of Cyrille McCullough, who moved to the right, and Germain Rangel started on the left instead of Isidore Paige, who didn't even feature on the teamsheet.
The man of the match award is pretty straightforward. The defenders and midfielders had little to do, Currie was unimpressive in this game, and Eldridge was average. In the end, all you need to look at is who scored most of the goals: and Perry Ferreira was easily the best player on the pitch today.
As expected, Canada were all over their opponents from the start. Against a strange and inefficient formation, the Canucks created quite a few chances, but Carlos Eldridge and Perry Ferreira in particular found themselves being thwarted by goalkeeper Hanile Thokozani. The South Africans held firm for just over half an hour, until Ferreira finally broke the deadlock when he scored on his own rebound after seeing Thokozani save his first shot. However, they could not find a second, and headed into the break leading by only one.
They seemed to return revitalised, as Ferreira scored again just a couple minutes in, after controlling Eldridge's cross from the right, and slotting past Thokozani. He only had to wait three more minutes to score his hat trick, when Thokozani deflected Fabian Currie's shot to Ferreira, who easily shot into the open net to make it 3-0 after 54 minutes. In the 58th minute, he scored again on a breakaway, and with just about an hour gone, Eldridge got in on the fun with a low strike from just outside the box. By now, the Canadians were scoring goals for fun whilst Thokozani was a shadow of what he had been in the first half. Ferreira scored his fifth in the 68th minute, and Eldridge made it seven in the 72nd. However, that was the last goal Canada scored, and so 7-0 was the final score. Blake Thornton received the game's only yellow card in the first half.
Canada were in complete control, with 72% posession and an 18-2 lead on SC's. They should have scored more against an awful formation (1-3-1-2-1-2: 3 stikers, two attaking midfielders on the wings, once central defender, three defensive midfielders/defenders, and a lone sweeper). Canada again went with a 3-3-1-3 with the same starters except in defence. Valère Kendall playing in central defence instead of Cyrille McCullough, who moved to the right, and Germain Rangel started on the left instead of Isidore Paige, who didn't even feature on the teamsheet.
The man of the match award is pretty straightforward. The defenders and midfielders had little to do, Currie was unimpressive in this game, and Eldridge was average. In the end, all you need to look at is who scored most of the goals: and Perry Ferreira was easily the best player on the pitch today.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Canada 8-0 United Arab Emirates: 2009 Senior ConfedCup
Eldridge, Marcus, Ferreira, and Currie each score a pair as Canada cruise past the UAE.
Horacio Vachon was cautioned for Canada with barely a minute, but it wasn't long before Canada got their first chance to score...and did so, Carlos Eldridge's strike going in, although goalie Joshua Holbrook should've done better for the UAE. Holbrook was also to blame for the second goal, when Shad Marcus's long-range shot seemed to go right through the keeper! Canada continued to get shots on goal; Eldridge hit the post and Holbrook started making some saves. Eventually though, Eldridge scored his second, and it was only until late in the first half when the Middle Easterners started creating chances of their own, and Simon Blackwell did hit the bar. Still, Canada were cruising, and it was no surprise when Fabian Currie scored the fourth very early in the second half with a shot from the left edge of the box that sailed into the far corner, sparking a second half UAE demolition derby. Currie netted again just a few minutes later, holding off Sebastian Blake before slotting the ball past Holbrook. Eldridge then headed on a free kick to Perry Ferreira, who calmly made it six. Marcus again caught Holbrook by surprise with a low shot from way out, and, not long after, Ferreira did the same thing, capping off a disastrous night for the United Arab Emirates.
Even though mikexvi was visibly experimenting with different players, his team were dominant against a UAE side that was poor overall, but none more so than their goalkeeper Holbrook. Canada played a 3-3-1-3 against their opponents' 3-2-1-1-3.
Some of the appearances were surprising, namely Currie playing as a striker, but it seemed to work, granted against a very unimpressive side. Currie actually played well, as did Sal Covington in midfield and Cyrille McCullough as the central defender. Marcus and Eldridge, meanwhile, were a bit disappointing despite each netting twice: Marcus was invisible at times, and Eldridge often gave the ball away. I'll give the man of the match award to someone who I was actually surprised to see in the team in the first place, but proved he deserved it: Sal Covington!
Horacio Vachon was cautioned for Canada with barely a minute, but it wasn't long before Canada got their first chance to score...and did so, Carlos Eldridge's strike going in, although goalie Joshua Holbrook should've done better for the UAE. Holbrook was also to blame for the second goal, when Shad Marcus's long-range shot seemed to go right through the keeper! Canada continued to get shots on goal; Eldridge hit the post and Holbrook started making some saves. Eventually though, Eldridge scored his second, and it was only until late in the first half when the Middle Easterners started creating chances of their own, and Simon Blackwell did hit the bar. Still, Canada were cruising, and it was no surprise when Fabian Currie scored the fourth very early in the second half with a shot from the left edge of the box that sailed into the far corner, sparking a second half UAE demolition derby. Currie netted again just a few minutes later, holding off Sebastian Blake before slotting the ball past Holbrook. Eldridge then headed on a free kick to Perry Ferreira, who calmly made it six. Marcus again caught Holbrook by surprise with a low shot from way out, and, not long after, Ferreira did the same thing, capping off a disastrous night for the United Arab Emirates.
Even though mikexvi was visibly experimenting with different players, his team were dominant against a UAE side that was poor overall, but none more so than their goalkeeper Holbrook. Canada played a 3-3-1-3 against their opponents' 3-2-1-1-3.
Some of the appearances were surprising, namely Currie playing as a striker, but it seemed to work, granted against a very unimpressive side. Currie actually played well, as did Sal Covington in midfield and Cyrille McCullough as the central defender. Marcus and Eldridge, meanwhile, were a bit disappointing despite each netting twice: Marcus was invisible at times, and Eldridge often gave the ball away. I'll give the man of the match award to someone who I was actually surprised to see in the team in the first place, but proved he deserved it: Sal Covington!
2009 Senior ConfedCup Preview
After the disappointment of missing out on the U21 World Cup, Canada's NT staff shift their focus towards the senior squad, hoping that, for the third straight year, Canada can go far in the tournament.
In the inaugural event in 2007, Canada went all the way to the final, where they fell at the final hurdle, losing 6-2. Canada almost made it all the way there again in 2008, but despite going to extra time in their semi-final game, an Australian golden goal ended their journey.
Still, our senior squad is strong as always, and here's hoping for glory in the 2009 ConfedCup! Here's our group: Angola (shouldn't be a problem), Bolivia (definitely our toughest test, but we'll no doubt be the favourites), Kazakhstan (again, shouldn't be a problem), Senegal (the weakest team in a weak group), South Africa (almost as weak as Senegal), and the UAE (shocked the world by making it all the way to the U21 World Cup quarter-finals, but their senior team surely isn't as good. Will probably be the only team that could challenge Canada and Bolivia for the top two spots).
In the inaugural event in 2007, Canada went all the way to the final, where they fell at the final hurdle, losing 6-2. Canada almost made it all the way there again in 2008, but despite going to extra time in their semi-final game, an Australian golden goal ended their journey.
Still, our senior squad is strong as always, and here's hoping for glory in the 2009 ConfedCup! Here's our group: Angola (shouldn't be a problem), Bolivia (definitely our toughest test, but we'll no doubt be the favourites), Kazakhstan (again, shouldn't be a problem), Senegal (the weakest team in a weak group), South Africa (almost as weak as Senegal), and the UAE (shocked the world by making it all the way to the U21 World Cup quarter-finals, but their senior team surely isn't as good. Will probably be the only team that could challenge Canada and Bolivia for the top two spots).
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