Surely one of the most famous victories in Canadian NT history...Indonesia absolutely clobbered as Ferreira and Co. advance to the semi finals!
Just two minutes had gone, and Canada had the lead. Sal Covington's free kick found Perry Ferreira, whose header looped over Ando Budiawati and in. Canada continued to control the game, and it was no surprise when Carlos Eldridge took Ferreira's pass and scored with a low shot from long-range which Budiawati should have saved. Canada continued to attack, and Eldridge hit the post. Although it looked like the chance had gone, Ferreira stole the ball from defender Tono Ginting before he could clear and quickly shot at the net. Budiawati got a touch, but it wasn't enough as the ball trickled in for the third goal. Ferreira got a chance to score again eight minutes later, but the keeper saved. However, the ball rolled out to Eldridge, who scored on the half-empty net. Indonesia finally started looking a bit dangerous going forward shortly after that; Zulfikar Haryanto-Ie's shot was tipped around by Angel Vang, and the resulting corner forced two good blocks from the Canadian defenders. However, when Fabian Currie's clearance found Ferreira, the super striker sprinted towards the goal, and although Budiawati saved the first chance, the ball was still in play and Ferreira seemed to have an open net...until Ginting fouled him. The Indonesian was given a yellow card and Canada had a penalty. However, Eldridge's disappointing spot-kick was saved. Canada were not to be denied though: Eldridge's low cross found Ferreira on the edge of the box, who twisted and shot into the bottom right-hand corner for his hat trick. 5-0 Canada at half-time: unthinkable!
Amazingly, it got worse for the South-east Asians. Ferreira scored with a nearly identical goal to the first. With about fifteen minutes left, Covington intercepted a pass, put Ferreira through, and saw him score his fifth goal and Canada's seventh. Covington came close to scoring himself, but hit the woodwork, and Ferreira had an effort cleared off the line by Rexy Hans, but nothing was going to ruin the night for the Canadians. An unbelievable 7-0 win over a very respectable side in Indonesia...and Canada are in the semi-finals!
This was about as close to a perfect game as you can expect to see in MZ! Canada were faultless and Indonesia were the exact opposite...the result? Canada beat an evenly matched side by seven; incredible!
Both teams played 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield and the full-backs slightly more advanced than the center-backs. Cyrille McCullough was paired up with Isidore Paige in central defence, whilst Horacio Vachon played right-back and young Sterling Howell made his second-straight start, having a good game in the left-back position. Covington was the defensive midfielder, Shad Marcus, back from suspension was the attacking mid, and Currie and Julian Crosby played on the wings, with the latter on the left side and the former on the right. Ferreira (left side) and Eldridge (right side) started up front. Burt Hatch came off the bench to make his debut for the Canadian NT late in the second half.
Although there were no bad Canadian performances, Covington and Ferreira were particularly outstanding. For me though, the man of the match was the one who scored five goals: Perry Ferreira!
Fabian Currie was yellow-carded and will be suspended for the massive clash against the USA in the semi-finals. Quite a big blow considering how well he's played, but it will still be a very interesting and even game. Also cautioned were Covington and Crosby for Canada, and, for Indonesia, Ginting (as mentioned earlier), Seto Camaro, Tiar Panjaitan, and Johan Wabia.
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