Late Eldridge equaliser against Mexico sends Canada into the last sixteen and books a match-up against Portugal.
The first chance came after less than a minute when Shad Marcus set up Perry Ferreira, whose low shot sizzled wide. Canada dominated possession in the opening fifteen minutes, and created a couple chances too. Shad Marcus' long-range shot was saved by Romeo Domenec, and the Mexican keeper had to stop Ferreira on a breakaway not long after. When Ferreira and Leslie Love each wasted chances, it was becoming clear Mexico desperately needed to get a foothold into the game. But still Canada were dominating, and Ferreira again saw his close-range shot saved by Domenec. It was out of nowhere that the deadlock was broken. Maximino Ciano was tackled inside the penalty box by Frankie Gonzalez, but as he moved the ball up field, he gave it away to Aquiles Oro a few yards out of his penalty area, and the Mexican striker sent a low shot into the back of the net. It was the first real chance Mexico had gotten in the game, and they'd made it count. Abel Bryan tried to get Canada instantly back in the match, but his effort resulted in another goal kick for Mexico. The first goal had given the Central Americans confidence, and Raimundo Muc came close to making it two, but Angel Vang stopped him from close-range. Muc then appeared to be heading on a breakaway until Cyrille McCullough stopped him just outside the penalty box, which resulted in a yellow card. The resulting free kick from Clodoveo Merexildo was a good one, and his shot just barely missed the net. It was Canada now who were struggling, but they nearly equalised when Marcus hit the woodwork from a long way outside the penalty area. Mexico tried to counter-attack, but they gave the ball away to Love, who passed to Bryan. The striker set up Ferreira, who was rushing into the 18-yard box, and he finally converted one of his chances. It was now 1-1. Bryan could have put them in the lead before half-time, but again Domenec shut the door after a good passing play by Canada. Though Mexico were second-best throughout most of the first half, it was 1-1 at the break.
The sombreros started off better in the second half, with Maximino Ciano firing just over and Muc's shot being pushed away by Vang. Ferreira was again robbed of a goal from close-range when Domenec stopped him, and as Mexico got the ball back into Canada's end, Muc passed into the danger area for Ciano, who took a few touches before placing the ball past Vang to give Mexico the lead again. They continued to press, with Ernesto Brais' free kick failing to hit the target and Muc then hitting the post. Canada seemed to get a boost when Abel Bryan, who was disappointing considering his performance on his debut against Finland, was subbed off for Carlos Eldridge. In fact, Eldridge's first touch was a shot that shook the crossbar, and the ball ended up falling to Blake Thornton, whose effort was easily caught by Domenec. Muc sent a shot wide for Mexico as Canada were desperately looking to tie the game, but looked nothing like what they did in the first half. Eldridge had two more chances - one was a close-range effort saved and gathered by Domenec, the other was a shot that went harmlessly wide - but Mexico could have put the game away when Muc went through on breakaway only for Vang to stop him. The eqauliser Canada were so desperately looking for came when Sal Covington put Eldridge through alone with the keeper, and, this time, Domenec could do nothing about it. 2-2 was the score and Canada seemed to be heading back into the round of 16, while Mexico were likely heading out. Mexico pressed hard in the last couple minutes, but could not get past a solid Canuck back three and we held on for the 2-2 draw. Canada are into the round of 16!
A loss here would have been harsh. After all, the second half may have been close, but the first half was completely dominated by Canada. There aren't many countries we like to beat more than Mexico, mostly because we have to share the division cup with them, so there's a bit of disappointment we didn't get the full three points, but the fact that we've made it through is all that counts.
The two most popular formations on MZ were used in this game. Canada went with a 3-2-1-2-2. The usual McCullough/Howell/Burnham partnership at the back remained intact, with Covington being paired with Gonzalez (who started despite Burt Hatch returning from suspension) in defensive midfield, Thoronton playing in the middle, Love and Marcus on the wings, and Ferreira and Bryan starting as strikers. Mexico had a 4-2-1-3, with advanced fullbacks and the centre forward playing behind the other two.
The man of the match here is tough, as everyone had a decent game. Vang and Gonzalez were the least impressive, while the attacking midfield trio of Thornton, Love, and Marcus was very strong. I'll go with Eldridge because of his crucial equaliser and for the overall way he played when he came on. For Mexico, Domenec was probably their best player.
Portugal are a really strong side and one of the biggest forces on MZ, so I don't expect we'll have it easy against them in the round of 16, but I also believe we've got every chance of winning. If we do just that, we'll play a quarter-final game against either a strong Danish side or an Austrian outfit that finished second last year. It should be a good close game, and hopefully we'll come out on top in the end. We ended up winning our group. Croatia drew Finland, which means Mexico actually made it through with us into the round of 16, where they will play Poland.
Besides McCullough's yellow which was already mentioned here, Covington also found himself in the referee's notebook. They join Ferreira and Eldridge with one yellow card each.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Canada 3-2 Finland: 2010 Senior World Cup
New man Bryan scores twice as Canada moves into great position to advance from the group after first World Cup victory since 2006.
Abel Bryan, a goal machine at club level, surprisingly started this game at the expense of Carlos Eldridge. However, just four minutes in, mike's surprise move seemed to pay off. After receiving Blake Thornton's pass, Bryan instinctively hit a low one-time shot from thirty yards out which went in off the post. At the other end, Taisto Luoma tested Angel Vang, while Bryan then came close to making it 2-0 when he forced a good save from Josiah Laulaja to deflect the ball out for a corner. Although Jani Hannula's free kick was harmless, Finland were starting to come into the game, and Luoma again forced Vang to use his hands in order to keep the Canucks ahead. In the 19th minute, a strange thing happened. Shad Marcus' free kick went straight towards Laulaja, who somehow dropped the ball. Abel Bryan was on hand to blast over the bar, and so the two errors cancelled each other out. Marcus' next free kick was better. After Thornton had won a foul on the edge of the box, Marcus took advantage by shooting into the roof of the net, although Laulaja got a hand to it. Finland were back in it five minutes later when Juuso Hyokyvaara turned and shot in the box, although Vang could have done better. Sysky Halmkrona forced Vang into another decent save as Finland searched for the equaliser, but as they were putting bodies forward, Canada counter-attacked and Bryan ended up scoring his second. He received the ball in the centre circle and ran all the way into the penalty area, doing very well to beat defender Janne Keinanen on the way, before coolly slotting the ball home, capping off a magnificent solo goal. Finland pressed the rest of the first half, but Vang did well to deflect Hyokyvaara's shot for a corner, and then stop Kim Niinimaa from close-range. Canada were leading 3-1 at half-time.
Finland started brightly in the second half, but Vang was solid in between the posts, and comfortably stopped Niinimaa's long-range effort. Canada were still having chances too, with Laulaja closing down Bryan quick enough to prevent a hat-trick and Marcus shooting just wide. Thornton then forced the best out of Laulaja after scrambling after a loose-ball on the edge of the box and shooting point-blank. The Finnish goalkeeper conceded a corner, which, in turn, resulted in a scramble, and Laulaja finally managed to pick the ball up. Laulaja then thwarted Bryan on a breakaway and Niinimaa shot just a few inches wide of the target for Finland. Finally, Finland scored their second goal with over an hour gone, after tussling with Sterling Howell, winning the ball and shooting into the top corner past a helpless Vang. Canada had let a 3-1 lead against Croatia slip away and were in danger of doing so again. Bryan and Hyokyvaara exchanged good chances as the tension was rising, but Finland would be frustrated when a poor challenge from a quiet Perry Ferreira on Ahto Hentunen meant that the Finnish defender had to go off injured and, with all three substitutions already made, the Scandinavians would play the rest of the game with ten men. One of those substitutes, Martti Makiaho, sent a dangerous shot which came tantalisingly close, but just whistled past the post. Finland were unable to conjure up anything after that, and Canada held on for a well-deserved, hard-fought victory.
After the disappointment against Croatia, this victory gives us a great chance at making it to the next stage. Canada were slightly better throughout, and that's why all three points were well-earned.
Canada played arguably their strangest tactic and most surprising selection so far. The flat back four featured Paschal Burnham and Sterling Howell as full-backs while Cyrille McCullough paired with Frankie Gonzalez in the centre, as the ex-Hilliers man came out of nowhere in order to cover for Burt Hatch's suspension. In the midfield, Canada played a diagonal line of three to cover Finland's asymmetrical attack. Sal Covington was the defensive midfielder, with Thornton in the centre and Leslie Love as the attacking option. The front three consisted of Marcus on the left wing, and Ferreira playing slightly behind Bryan in the centre. The likes of Eldridge, Isidore Paige, and Jan Shepard didn't even come off the bench as the substitutions were only set if Canada were struggling.
The man of the match award has to go to Abel Bryan, but most of the others played well too. Howell and McCullough were especially strong in defence, while Gonzalez didn't have at all the same impact Bryan made on his debut, and Ferreira was a non-factor for most of the game. Marcus was a strange choice on the wing, but played decently, as did the midfielders.
A draw against Mexico will be enough to stay alive in the tournament, but hopefully we'll get the win. A loss means we'd need Croatia to beat Finland and we'll probably be through on goal difference.
Ferreira received the only card of the game for that challenge on Hentunen which forced the Finn to go off.
Abel Bryan, a goal machine at club level, surprisingly started this game at the expense of Carlos Eldridge. However, just four minutes in, mike's surprise move seemed to pay off. After receiving Blake Thornton's pass, Bryan instinctively hit a low one-time shot from thirty yards out which went in off the post. At the other end, Taisto Luoma tested Angel Vang, while Bryan then came close to making it 2-0 when he forced a good save from Josiah Laulaja to deflect the ball out for a corner. Although Jani Hannula's free kick was harmless, Finland were starting to come into the game, and Luoma again forced Vang to use his hands in order to keep the Canucks ahead. In the 19th minute, a strange thing happened. Shad Marcus' free kick went straight towards Laulaja, who somehow dropped the ball. Abel Bryan was on hand to blast over the bar, and so the two errors cancelled each other out. Marcus' next free kick was better. After Thornton had won a foul on the edge of the box, Marcus took advantage by shooting into the roof of the net, although Laulaja got a hand to it. Finland were back in it five minutes later when Juuso Hyokyvaara turned and shot in the box, although Vang could have done better. Sysky Halmkrona forced Vang into another decent save as Finland searched for the equaliser, but as they were putting bodies forward, Canada counter-attacked and Bryan ended up scoring his second. He received the ball in the centre circle and ran all the way into the penalty area, doing very well to beat defender Janne Keinanen on the way, before coolly slotting the ball home, capping off a magnificent solo goal. Finland pressed the rest of the first half, but Vang did well to deflect Hyokyvaara's shot for a corner, and then stop Kim Niinimaa from close-range. Canada were leading 3-1 at half-time.
Finland started brightly in the second half, but Vang was solid in between the posts, and comfortably stopped Niinimaa's long-range effort. Canada were still having chances too, with Laulaja closing down Bryan quick enough to prevent a hat-trick and Marcus shooting just wide. Thornton then forced the best out of Laulaja after scrambling after a loose-ball on the edge of the box and shooting point-blank. The Finnish goalkeeper conceded a corner, which, in turn, resulted in a scramble, and Laulaja finally managed to pick the ball up. Laulaja then thwarted Bryan on a breakaway and Niinimaa shot just a few inches wide of the target for Finland. Finally, Finland scored their second goal with over an hour gone, after tussling with Sterling Howell, winning the ball and shooting into the top corner past a helpless Vang. Canada had let a 3-1 lead against Croatia slip away and were in danger of doing so again. Bryan and Hyokyvaara exchanged good chances as the tension was rising, but Finland would be frustrated when a poor challenge from a quiet Perry Ferreira on Ahto Hentunen meant that the Finnish defender had to go off injured and, with all three substitutions already made, the Scandinavians would play the rest of the game with ten men. One of those substitutes, Martti Makiaho, sent a dangerous shot which came tantalisingly close, but just whistled past the post. Finland were unable to conjure up anything after that, and Canada held on for a well-deserved, hard-fought victory.
After the disappointment against Croatia, this victory gives us a great chance at making it to the next stage. Canada were slightly better throughout, and that's why all three points were well-earned.
Canada played arguably their strangest tactic and most surprising selection so far. The flat back four featured Paschal Burnham and Sterling Howell as full-backs while Cyrille McCullough paired with Frankie Gonzalez in the centre, as the ex-Hilliers man came out of nowhere in order to cover for Burt Hatch's suspension. In the midfield, Canada played a diagonal line of three to cover Finland's asymmetrical attack. Sal Covington was the defensive midfielder, with Thornton in the centre and Leslie Love as the attacking option. The front three consisted of Marcus on the left wing, and Ferreira playing slightly behind Bryan in the centre. The likes of Eldridge, Isidore Paige, and Jan Shepard didn't even come off the bench as the substitutions were only set if Canada were struggling.
The man of the match award has to go to Abel Bryan, but most of the others played well too. Howell and McCullough were especially strong in defence, while Gonzalez didn't have at all the same impact Bryan made on his debut, and Ferreira was a non-factor for most of the game. Marcus was a strange choice on the wing, but played decently, as did the midfielders.
A draw against Mexico will be enough to stay alive in the tournament, but hopefully we'll get the win. A loss means we'd need Croatia to beat Finland and we'll probably be through on goal difference.
Ferreira received the only card of the game for that challenge on Hentunen which forced the Finn to go off.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Canada 3-3 Croatia: 2010 Senior World Cup
Burt Hatch sent off as Canada gets off to shaky start in the World Cup.
The first shot of the game was a fairly tame effort from Carlos Eldridge which was easily saved by Pravdan Brzovic. The game started out as very defensive, but, after seven successive passes, Croatia carved out the first dangerous chance of the game, and made it count. Zlatko Marinovic's finish left Angel Vang with no chance and it was 1-0 for the Balkan nation. Canada equalised with a lot of help from Croatian defender Svebor ufic. After Eldridge's long-range effort was blocked by Brzovic, ufic tried to clear, but his attempt was blocked accidentally by his own goalkeeper, and the ball ricocheted agonizingly towards the net. Croatia were shocked, which allowed Canada to take the lead just four minutes later. Burt Hatch passed to Eldridge, who played a short one-touch ball to Shad Marcus, and the midfielder sent a blistering 25-yard drive into the top corner on the keeper's right hand side. The game was now starting to open up, with Vang saving Marinovic's tight-angle shot and Sal Covington hitting a free kick on the edge of the box just high and wide. Croatia were given a lifeline when Fabijan Savicevic was put through on goal and Burt Hatch had to bring him down, which resulted in a straight red card for the Canadian defensive midfielder. Off the resulting free kick, Mileta Hr ic crossed to Marinovic, who was unlucky to see his shot rattle the bar. Savicevic then forced a good save from Vang, while at the other end, Perry Ferreira went on a breakaway, but was foiled by Brzovic. The goalkeeper made a couple more decent saves before half-time, and so the score at the break was 2-1 for Canada.
The second half couldn't have started better for the North Americans. Leslie Love received the ball, beat a couple Croatian players and unleashed a low shot which went straight at Brzovic. The goalkeeper should have saved it easily, but somehow he let the ball trickle in to give ten-man Canada a two-goal cushion. They nearly got their fourth when Ferreira latched onto Covington's pass, swiveled, and unleashed a shot that hit the crossbar. He then battled with two Croatian defenders for the rebound, and ended up testing Brzovic with a close-range effort, though it was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Croatia were right back in the game after Zrinko Jadre ic let one go from a long way out. Like Canada's third goal, the shot was heading straight towards the keeper, but Vang couldn't save it, and it was now just 3-2. The Europeans were searching for the equaliser, ans substitute Emil Trevi an hit the ball just wide, as, on the other side of the pitch, Ferreira went close himself. The elusive third goal came for Croatia when Kristijan Prosinecki's 30-yard effort sailed over the head of Vang and dropped into the net. Desperately trying to get Canada back into the lead, Carlos Eldridge hit the woodwork following Marcus' free kick. It would be the striker's last contribution to the game, as he was replaced by Jules Calvert. Canada attacked desperately for the last ten or so minutes of the game, but the closest they game to scoring a winner was when Love's shot missed the target. 3-3 was the final score.
There are no easy games in the world cup, but if we had to win a single game in this competition, this would probably have been our best chance. We are by no means done, but if we lose against Finland in the next game, we'll need to beat Mexico just to have a chance at going to the knock-out stages. Still, although this game was closer than the stats suggest (10-4 SC's for Canada), Canada were a bit unlucky not to win. To Croatia's credit, they got their tactic right, and were unlucky to see us equalise in the first half with an own goal.
Canada went with the exact same formation and line-up that took the field against Wales in the fateful last qualification game: a 3-1-3-3. Croatia countered with a 3-3-2-2, containing an upside-down pentagon midfield.
The man of the match is a difficult one. Marinovic and defensive midfielder Franjo Frankopan were both impressive for Croatia, but I think Frankopan is worthy of man of the match. For Canada, Eldridge and Love both put in very good performances, and Cyrille McCullough was great in defence. I'd say Eldridge was our best player in this game.
As well as Burt Hatch's expulsion, the referee handed out four yellow cards, three to Croatia. Erik Vilicic, Mladen Rajevic, and Borna Vrsalovic were booked, as well as Eldridge for Canada.
The first shot of the game was a fairly tame effort from Carlos Eldridge which was easily saved by Pravdan Brzovic. The game started out as very defensive, but, after seven successive passes, Croatia carved out the first dangerous chance of the game, and made it count. Zlatko Marinovic's finish left Angel Vang with no chance and it was 1-0 for the Balkan nation. Canada equalised with a lot of help from Croatian defender Svebor ufic. After Eldridge's long-range effort was blocked by Brzovic, ufic tried to clear, but his attempt was blocked accidentally by his own goalkeeper, and the ball ricocheted agonizingly towards the net. Croatia were shocked, which allowed Canada to take the lead just four minutes later. Burt Hatch passed to Eldridge, who played a short one-touch ball to Shad Marcus, and the midfielder sent a blistering 25-yard drive into the top corner on the keeper's right hand side. The game was now starting to open up, with Vang saving Marinovic's tight-angle shot and Sal Covington hitting a free kick on the edge of the box just high and wide. Croatia were given a lifeline when Fabijan Savicevic was put through on goal and Burt Hatch had to bring him down, which resulted in a straight red card for the Canadian defensive midfielder. Off the resulting free kick, Mileta Hr ic crossed to Marinovic, who was unlucky to see his shot rattle the bar. Savicevic then forced a good save from Vang, while at the other end, Perry Ferreira went on a breakaway, but was foiled by Brzovic. The goalkeeper made a couple more decent saves before half-time, and so the score at the break was 2-1 for Canada.
The second half couldn't have started better for the North Americans. Leslie Love received the ball, beat a couple Croatian players and unleashed a low shot which went straight at Brzovic. The goalkeeper should have saved it easily, but somehow he let the ball trickle in to give ten-man Canada a two-goal cushion. They nearly got their fourth when Ferreira latched onto Covington's pass, swiveled, and unleashed a shot that hit the crossbar. He then battled with two Croatian defenders for the rebound, and ended up testing Brzovic with a close-range effort, though it was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Croatia were right back in the game after Zrinko Jadre ic let one go from a long way out. Like Canada's third goal, the shot was heading straight towards the keeper, but Vang couldn't save it, and it was now just 3-2. The Europeans were searching for the equaliser, ans substitute Emil Trevi an hit the ball just wide, as, on the other side of the pitch, Ferreira went close himself. The elusive third goal came for Croatia when Kristijan Prosinecki's 30-yard effort sailed over the head of Vang and dropped into the net. Desperately trying to get Canada back into the lead, Carlos Eldridge hit the woodwork following Marcus' free kick. It would be the striker's last contribution to the game, as he was replaced by Jules Calvert. Canada attacked desperately for the last ten or so minutes of the game, but the closest they game to scoring a winner was when Love's shot missed the target. 3-3 was the final score.
There are no easy games in the world cup, but if we had to win a single game in this competition, this would probably have been our best chance. We are by no means done, but if we lose against Finland in the next game, we'll need to beat Mexico just to have a chance at going to the knock-out stages. Still, although this game was closer than the stats suggest (10-4 SC's for Canada), Canada were a bit unlucky not to win. To Croatia's credit, they got their tactic right, and were unlucky to see us equalise in the first half with an own goal.
Canada went with the exact same formation and line-up that took the field against Wales in the fateful last qualification game: a 3-1-3-3. Croatia countered with a 3-3-2-2, containing an upside-down pentagon midfield.
The man of the match is a difficult one. Marinovic and defensive midfielder Franjo Frankopan were both impressive for Croatia, but I think Frankopan is worthy of man of the match. For Canada, Eldridge and Love both put in very good performances, and Cyrille McCullough was great in defence. I'd say Eldridge was our best player in this game.
As well as Burt Hatch's expulsion, the referee handed out four yellow cards, three to Croatia. Erik Vilicic, Mladen Rajevic, and Borna Vrsalovic were booked, as well as Eldridge for Canada.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Canada 5-1 Wales: 2010 Senior World Cup Qualification
Canada qualifies for the World Cup with dramatic and emphatic win!
Canada couldn't have made a better start to this game. They attacked right from the kickoff and were rewarded just two minutes in when Blake Thornton's long-range shot from the left side of the penalty area slipped through Aberthol Hobson and in. They dominated the first ten minutes, but didn't really create any serious chances after that goal. However, Wales were recovering from their poor start, and, although Waljan Hanley missed a decent chance to equalise, it wasn't long before Dillan Baxter's brilliant run ended with an unstoppable 25-yard effort that went into the near corner. It's no wonder his manager, who also happens to be the Welsh National Coach, calls him Bax-Star! Wales were now in the ascendancy, but couldn't hit the target. However, the game appeared to be swinging back in Canada's favor, and the North Americans retook the lead through Thornton, who again beat Hobson at his near post, this time with a low shot inside the eighteen-yard box. Carlos Eldridge went one-on-one with the keeper soon after, but Hobson was quick to close him down and save. Although Thornton didn't score the third, he was directly involved in it as his poor long-range effort was dropped by Hobson and Perry Ferreira was on-hand to poke the ball home. Canada went into the half-time break knowing they were ahead by two goals and just forty-five minutes away from reaching the World Cup.
Wales should have closed the gap not long after the restart when Hanley went through on goal, only to be denied twice by a solid Angel Vang. Breakaways were becoming regular as the game opened up, and both sides missed a chance each, with Lludd Burleson coming close for Wales, followed by Perry Ferreira forcing an impressive stop from Hobson. The chances of the Celts coming back and tying the game were greatly diminished when Madoc Hodgkiss caught Blake Thornton for his second yellow card of the game. Canada now had a man advantage and were looking to make it count. From the yellow card's resulting free kick, Sal Covington's cross found Eldridge, who beat Hobson from close-range, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it. Canada were flying and Wales needed a miracle now. Ferreira's long-range effort was deflected onto the post by Hobson, and the Welsh goalkeeper stopped a Shad Marcus chance as well. The game was put beyond doubt by Eldridge when he seized a loose ball and released a shot from the edge of the D that went through Hobson and in. There was still time for substitute Andreas Eckles to spurn a chance for Wales, but the rest of the game was all about Canada keeping possession and running down the clock until the final whistle. When it came, a feeling of happiness and relief swung over the Canadians: they'd scraped through to the World Cup.
5-1 was harsh, but Wales were completely outclassed. Their goalkeeper made a mess of most of the goals we scored, and the sending-off ruined their chances.
The Welsh went with a fairly standard 4-2-1-3 formation against Canada's odd attack-minded 3-1-3-3 tactic. When I first saw the tactics used, I thought Wales may have the upper hand, but we managed to make our formation work. After all, the three defenders and the lone defensive midfielder were all we really had to protect Vang in net. However, the tactic worked in this game, although we'll need to switch some players around, in my opinion, as the starters remained the same, and Sal Covington as an attacking midfielder shouldn't be his favourite position, although, of course, Thornton had a good game in attack.
The man of the match as a tough one. Vang was solid in net, Sterling Howell was impressive in defence, and all the attacking players played equally well. I'll go with Carlos Eldridge.
Hopefully we'll get a good draw in the World Cup, which starts soon, but remember, there are no easy games at that stage.
Besides Hodgkiss of course, not a single player was booked.
Canada couldn't have made a better start to this game. They attacked right from the kickoff and were rewarded just two minutes in when Blake Thornton's long-range shot from the left side of the penalty area slipped through Aberthol Hobson and in. They dominated the first ten minutes, but didn't really create any serious chances after that goal. However, Wales were recovering from their poor start, and, although Waljan Hanley missed a decent chance to equalise, it wasn't long before Dillan Baxter's brilliant run ended with an unstoppable 25-yard effort that went into the near corner. It's no wonder his manager, who also happens to be the Welsh National Coach, calls him Bax-Star! Wales were now in the ascendancy, but couldn't hit the target. However, the game appeared to be swinging back in Canada's favor, and the North Americans retook the lead through Thornton, who again beat Hobson at his near post, this time with a low shot inside the eighteen-yard box. Carlos Eldridge went one-on-one with the keeper soon after, but Hobson was quick to close him down and save. Although Thornton didn't score the third, he was directly involved in it as his poor long-range effort was dropped by Hobson and Perry Ferreira was on-hand to poke the ball home. Canada went into the half-time break knowing they were ahead by two goals and just forty-five minutes away from reaching the World Cup.
Wales should have closed the gap not long after the restart when Hanley went through on goal, only to be denied twice by a solid Angel Vang. Breakaways were becoming regular as the game opened up, and both sides missed a chance each, with Lludd Burleson coming close for Wales, followed by Perry Ferreira forcing an impressive stop from Hobson. The chances of the Celts coming back and tying the game were greatly diminished when Madoc Hodgkiss caught Blake Thornton for his second yellow card of the game. Canada now had a man advantage and were looking to make it count. From the yellow card's resulting free kick, Sal Covington's cross found Eldridge, who beat Hobson from close-range, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it. Canada were flying and Wales needed a miracle now. Ferreira's long-range effort was deflected onto the post by Hobson, and the Welsh goalkeeper stopped a Shad Marcus chance as well. The game was put beyond doubt by Eldridge when he seized a loose ball and released a shot from the edge of the D that went through Hobson and in. There was still time for substitute Andreas Eckles to spurn a chance for Wales, but the rest of the game was all about Canada keeping possession and running down the clock until the final whistle. When it came, a feeling of happiness and relief swung over the Canadians: they'd scraped through to the World Cup.
5-1 was harsh, but Wales were completely outclassed. Their goalkeeper made a mess of most of the goals we scored, and the sending-off ruined their chances.
The Welsh went with a fairly standard 4-2-1-3 formation against Canada's odd attack-minded 3-1-3-3 tactic. When I first saw the tactics used, I thought Wales may have the upper hand, but we managed to make our formation work. After all, the three defenders and the lone defensive midfielder were all we really had to protect Vang in net. However, the tactic worked in this game, although we'll need to switch some players around, in my opinion, as the starters remained the same, and Sal Covington as an attacking midfielder shouldn't be his favourite position, although, of course, Thornton had a good game in attack.
The man of the match as a tough one. Vang was solid in net, Sterling Howell was impressive in defence, and all the attacking players played equally well. I'll go with Carlos Eldridge.
Hopefully we'll get a good draw in the World Cup, which starts soon, but remember, there are no easy games at that stage.
Besides Hodgkiss of course, not a single player was booked.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Canada 6-1 Guatemala: 2010 Senior World Cup Qualification
Canada avoids another upset by coming back to win easily and set up a do-or-die clash with Wales.
Canada wasted no time looking for the first goal, but were unable to get it. With eight minutes gone, Guatemala finally got the ball in attack and made it count: Jamie Lawson shocking the Canadians with a low long-range effort that Angel Vang should have done better with. Though Canada were completely dominating, Guatemala started becoming more confident and had a couple of chances of their own, though not enough to really trouble the Canadian net. It was in the 33rd minute that Canada finally got the equaliser, when Perry Ferreira's great pass found a wide open Carlos Eldridge in the penalty area, who easily slotted home past Sebastian Venables, who was having an impressive game, to make it 1-1. Ferreira could have given us the lead before half-time, but his 1-on-1 effort was saved by Venables, and Canada, again, were heading into half-time without the lead against a weak team.
Incredibly, the Central Americans should have taken the lead again when Paschal Burnham gave the ball away to Lawson, whose breakaway effort was thwarted by Vang. Finally, in the 58th minute, Shad Marcus set up Eldridge, whose shot went in off the far post, giving Canada the lead. The floodgates had opened for Canada and for Carlos: Leslie Love set up the striker for his third, with Eldridge finishing from close-range, and his fourth was from a very tight angle which somehow went past Venables and in. He came close to his fifth when he hit the post, and the ball careened off the goalkeeper and out for a corner, but Ferreira was still struggling, as he was unable to get on the score sheet. He was dreadfully unlucky to hit the post himself, but finally notched up a goal of his own when tapping in from close range after Venables had failed to hold Eldridge's effort. As icing on the cake, Marcus scored the sixth from 25 yards out to make the final score Canada 6 Guatemala 1.
The opening half gave us a real scare, but by the end of it, we were playing the kind of football we saw at the Confederations Cup; and it will take some of that to get Canada past Wales in the next game.
Canada went with the same tactic as the one against Andorra (4-1-3-2), and it just about did the trick, although I, personally, am not crazy about it, as I don't think it's seen our team play well. Guatemala had a similar tactic, although it was much more of a 4-1-2-3, with the centre striker playing slightly behind the other two.
Clearly Carlos Eldridge was the man of the match here, while Marcus and Love continued their good form. Still, the likes of Burnham and Shepard haven't much impressed me in the last couple of games, and Ferreira needs to get his game back if we're to make it through to the World Cup.
The game against Wales is as straight-forward as it can be. If we win, we'll be in the World Cup. If we don't win, we won't be in the World Cup. No exceptions, no questions asked. All we need is the three points against Wales and we'll be through, but, make no mistakes, it will be a very tough game against a Welsh side that is - and always has been - capable of pulling off upsets, as was shown against Turkey a couple of weeks ago when they won 2-1. No doubt what will happen this Saturday will be an important game in the Canadian NT's history.
Carlos Eldridge received the only booking of the game.
Canada wasted no time looking for the first goal, but were unable to get it. With eight minutes gone, Guatemala finally got the ball in attack and made it count: Jamie Lawson shocking the Canadians with a low long-range effort that Angel Vang should have done better with. Though Canada were completely dominating, Guatemala started becoming more confident and had a couple of chances of their own, though not enough to really trouble the Canadian net. It was in the 33rd minute that Canada finally got the equaliser, when Perry Ferreira's great pass found a wide open Carlos Eldridge in the penalty area, who easily slotted home past Sebastian Venables, who was having an impressive game, to make it 1-1. Ferreira could have given us the lead before half-time, but his 1-on-1 effort was saved by Venables, and Canada, again, were heading into half-time without the lead against a weak team.
Incredibly, the Central Americans should have taken the lead again when Paschal Burnham gave the ball away to Lawson, whose breakaway effort was thwarted by Vang. Finally, in the 58th minute, Shad Marcus set up Eldridge, whose shot went in off the far post, giving Canada the lead. The floodgates had opened for Canada and for Carlos: Leslie Love set up the striker for his third, with Eldridge finishing from close-range, and his fourth was from a very tight angle which somehow went past Venables and in. He came close to his fifth when he hit the post, and the ball careened off the goalkeeper and out for a corner, but Ferreira was still struggling, as he was unable to get on the score sheet. He was dreadfully unlucky to hit the post himself, but finally notched up a goal of his own when tapping in from close range after Venables had failed to hold Eldridge's effort. As icing on the cake, Marcus scored the sixth from 25 yards out to make the final score Canada 6 Guatemala 1.
The opening half gave us a real scare, but by the end of it, we were playing the kind of football we saw at the Confederations Cup; and it will take some of that to get Canada past Wales in the next game.
Canada went with the same tactic as the one against Andorra (4-1-3-2), and it just about did the trick, although I, personally, am not crazy about it, as I don't think it's seen our team play well. Guatemala had a similar tactic, although it was much more of a 4-1-2-3, with the centre striker playing slightly behind the other two.
Clearly Carlos Eldridge was the man of the match here, while Marcus and Love continued their good form. Still, the likes of Burnham and Shepard haven't much impressed me in the last couple of games, and Ferreira needs to get his game back if we're to make it through to the World Cup.
The game against Wales is as straight-forward as it can be. If we win, we'll be in the World Cup. If we don't win, we won't be in the World Cup. No exceptions, no questions asked. All we need is the three points against Wales and we'll be through, but, make no mistakes, it will be a very tough game against a Welsh side that is - and always has been - capable of pulling off upsets, as was shown against Turkey a couple of weeks ago when they won 2-1. No doubt what will happen this Saturday will be an important game in the Canadian NT's history.
Carlos Eldridge received the only booking of the game.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Canada 2-2 Andorra: 2010 Senior World Cup Qualification
A shocker: Canada's tie against tiny Andorra means qualification to World Cup is unlikely
It took sixteen minutes for Canada to open the scoring, with Perry Ferreira swivelling and shooting to make it 1-0. Before that, Carlos Eldridge hit the woodwork and Ashley Waller had to make a brilliant double-save on Ferreira. But Canada were struggling and Andorra equalised with a low 30-yard-strike from Damion Butler that bounced off Angel Vang and in. Eldridge put Canada back in the lead with a low close-range shot that trickled past Waller and in after a great cross by Leslie Love. However, Andorra equalised again when Butler virtually walked into the penalty area and scored on his own rebound after Vang had saved the first shot. Canada had a couple of chances to score a third time, but Waller made a couple of good saves and the goal frame was hit for the second time, in this case by Burt Hatch off a corner. It was 2-2 at the half, and surely the only way was up for the North Americans, who had been completely dismal in the first period.
Canada won a penalty early in the second half when a dangerous pass by Love found Eldridge in the box, who was fouled by Barrie Trueman. However, Eldridge's spot-kick was awful, and the ball rolled harmlessly wide of the goal. As Andorra started to tire, Canada began to dominate, but just couldn't find the breakthrough. They frequently tested Waller from long-range, but the Andorran goalkeeper always caught the ball with ease. Ferreira was having loads of close-range chances, but struggled to even hit the target. Canada pressed the entire second half, but to no avail. Their last chance came in injury time, when Ferreira was again presented with a 1-on-1 chance with the keeper...and again, Waller saved. The unthinkable had happened...Canada had just gotten a 2-2 draw with Andorra.
As well as Andorra played, and as poorly as Canada did, there was no way the Europeans should have gotten anything from this game. We dominated scoring chances and possession, but we all know this simulator can be extremely random at times, and as a result, we're virtually out of contention now for the world cup.
Canada's starting eleven remained the same, but the tactic was different, a 4-1-3-2. Sterling Howell moved into central defence with Cyrille McCullough, with Burt Hatch moving into a fullback position. Sal Covington was the lone defensive midfielder, while the strikers and attacking midfielders stayed at pretty much the same positions, except Love was the furthest forward. There were, however some different faces on the bench, as Jules Calvert made his Canadian NT debut. Andorra's 4-3-1-2 was enough for them to take the draw.
Undoubtedly, Andorran goalkeeper Ashley Waller was the man of the match, but for Canada, Leslie Love was by far our best player. Few of the other players were very good, with Ferreira and Vang especially disappointing.
Canada has to win their last two games to have any chance at qualifying, and then our fate will depend on other results. Guatemala are next, which shouldn't be too difficult, but the crucial game will be the clash against Wales in the final encounter of the qualification stage.
The only booking of the game was for Andorra's Lenny Banks.
It took sixteen minutes for Canada to open the scoring, with Perry Ferreira swivelling and shooting to make it 1-0. Before that, Carlos Eldridge hit the woodwork and Ashley Waller had to make a brilliant double-save on Ferreira. But Canada were struggling and Andorra equalised with a low 30-yard-strike from Damion Butler that bounced off Angel Vang and in. Eldridge put Canada back in the lead with a low close-range shot that trickled past Waller and in after a great cross by Leslie Love. However, Andorra equalised again when Butler virtually walked into the penalty area and scored on his own rebound after Vang had saved the first shot. Canada had a couple of chances to score a third time, but Waller made a couple of good saves and the goal frame was hit for the second time, in this case by Burt Hatch off a corner. It was 2-2 at the half, and surely the only way was up for the North Americans, who had been completely dismal in the first period.
Canada won a penalty early in the second half when a dangerous pass by Love found Eldridge in the box, who was fouled by Barrie Trueman. However, Eldridge's spot-kick was awful, and the ball rolled harmlessly wide of the goal. As Andorra started to tire, Canada began to dominate, but just couldn't find the breakthrough. They frequently tested Waller from long-range, but the Andorran goalkeeper always caught the ball with ease. Ferreira was having loads of close-range chances, but struggled to even hit the target. Canada pressed the entire second half, but to no avail. Their last chance came in injury time, when Ferreira was again presented with a 1-on-1 chance with the keeper...and again, Waller saved. The unthinkable had happened...Canada had just gotten a 2-2 draw with Andorra.
As well as Andorra played, and as poorly as Canada did, there was no way the Europeans should have gotten anything from this game. We dominated scoring chances and possession, but we all know this simulator can be extremely random at times, and as a result, we're virtually out of contention now for the world cup.
Canada's starting eleven remained the same, but the tactic was different, a 4-1-3-2. Sterling Howell moved into central defence with Cyrille McCullough, with Burt Hatch moving into a fullback position. Sal Covington was the lone defensive midfielder, while the strikers and attacking midfielders stayed at pretty much the same positions, except Love was the furthest forward. There were, however some different faces on the bench, as Jules Calvert made his Canadian NT debut. Andorra's 4-3-1-2 was enough for them to take the draw.
Undoubtedly, Andorran goalkeeper Ashley Waller was the man of the match, but for Canada, Leslie Love was by far our best player. Few of the other players were very good, with Ferreira and Vang especially disappointing.
Canada has to win their last two games to have any chance at qualifying, and then our fate will depend on other results. Guatemala are next, which shouldn't be too difficult, but the crucial game will be the clash against Wales in the final encounter of the qualification stage.
The only booking of the game was for Andorra's Lenny Banks.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Canada 3-2 Norway: 2010 Senior World Cup Qualification
Canada keeps themselves alive with a 3-2 win over unlucky Norway
Canada didn't make the start they did against Turkey, as, in this crucial game, both sides had their chances in the first half hour, but none too close to finding the net. Norway were having the better of the chances and possession, with the strike trio of Filip Stang, Erlend Bergseng, and Espen Nyberg peppering the goal area with shots that very rarely seemed goal-bound, while, at the other end, Leslie Love, Blake Thornton, and Carlos Eldridge were causing trouble of their own, with several half-chances. The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute when Eldridge, in an area where he looked more likely to cross than shoot, hit the ball into the near corner, past a surprised Jonathan Stokkenes. This gave Canada confidence, but Norway nearly equalised just on the stroke of half-time when Angel Vang was called into action to make a great 1-on-1 save on Nyberg. Canada had done what they wanted to do in the first half, but this game was far from over; like against Turkey, we couldn't afford a second half breakdown.
However, there were signs of catastrophe early on in the second period. Perry Ferreira, quiet up to this point, had a chance to score, but it was Nyberg who continued to be presented close-range chances for Norway. The first chance missed the target by a mile, the second one was saved solidly by Vang, and the third one, following Bergseng's steal on Cyrille McCullough, went in. Norway had equalised and Canada seemed to be falling apart. Ferreira, though, had other ideas, and his shot less than a minute after the restart from nearly 25 yards out found the net...with lots of help from Stokkenes, who bobbled what should have been an easy catch. Tom Myrseth forced two good saves out of Angel Vang, but as time ticked down and Norway became more and more desperate, substitute Jan Shepard was sent through on goal, and he didn't miss. Canada had the three points wrapped up. Norway still had the time to score a consolation from Bergseng as he shot the ball past Vang from a tight angle after the Canadian keeper had saved Fredrikson Steiro's long-range effort. However, that was the last kick of the game...Canada were unlucky to lose to Turkey, but their 3-2 win over the Scandinavians was not fully deserved.
The performance in the first half was decent, but Norway really should have finished us off in the second. Canada failed to take control of the midfield as they had against Turkey, and they were completely lost in the second half. Some good last-ditch tackles were made by the defenders, but, overall, they looked shaky and were lucky to have Vang at the back. Eldridge had a good game, but Ferreira was virtually a non-factor. Norway will feel understandably frustrated they didn't win or even get a draw, and even more frustrated with their goalkeeper Stokkenes, who was very poor on the day.
Canada made no changes from the squad and 3-2-3-2 formation that played Turkey. Norway had a 3-2-1-1-2: three defenders, two defensive midfielders, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder to the right, and three strikers more to the left, with one of them farther behind than the others.
Overall, no one on the Canadian team were very good. Clearly Angel Vang was the man of the match with all his crucial saves, but Eldridge was the best Canadian player in the outfield and deserves praise for his hard work.
Sterling Manuel and Burt Hatch were booked for Canada, while Norway's only yellow card went to Mons Thu.
Canada didn't make the start they did against Turkey, as, in this crucial game, both sides had their chances in the first half hour, but none too close to finding the net. Norway were having the better of the chances and possession, with the strike trio of Filip Stang, Erlend Bergseng, and Espen Nyberg peppering the goal area with shots that very rarely seemed goal-bound, while, at the other end, Leslie Love, Blake Thornton, and Carlos Eldridge were causing trouble of their own, with several half-chances. The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute when Eldridge, in an area where he looked more likely to cross than shoot, hit the ball into the near corner, past a surprised Jonathan Stokkenes. This gave Canada confidence, but Norway nearly equalised just on the stroke of half-time when Angel Vang was called into action to make a great 1-on-1 save on Nyberg. Canada had done what they wanted to do in the first half, but this game was far from over; like against Turkey, we couldn't afford a second half breakdown.
However, there were signs of catastrophe early on in the second period. Perry Ferreira, quiet up to this point, had a chance to score, but it was Nyberg who continued to be presented close-range chances for Norway. The first chance missed the target by a mile, the second one was saved solidly by Vang, and the third one, following Bergseng's steal on Cyrille McCullough, went in. Norway had equalised and Canada seemed to be falling apart. Ferreira, though, had other ideas, and his shot less than a minute after the restart from nearly 25 yards out found the net...with lots of help from Stokkenes, who bobbled what should have been an easy catch. Tom Myrseth forced two good saves out of Angel Vang, but as time ticked down and Norway became more and more desperate, substitute Jan Shepard was sent through on goal, and he didn't miss. Canada had the three points wrapped up. Norway still had the time to score a consolation from Bergseng as he shot the ball past Vang from a tight angle after the Canadian keeper had saved Fredrikson Steiro's long-range effort. However, that was the last kick of the game...Canada were unlucky to lose to Turkey, but their 3-2 win over the Scandinavians was not fully deserved.
The performance in the first half was decent, but Norway really should have finished us off in the second. Canada failed to take control of the midfield as they had against Turkey, and they were completely lost in the second half. Some good last-ditch tackles were made by the defenders, but, overall, they looked shaky and were lucky to have Vang at the back. Eldridge had a good game, but Ferreira was virtually a non-factor. Norway will feel understandably frustrated they didn't win or even get a draw, and even more frustrated with their goalkeeper Stokkenes, who was very poor on the day.
Canada made no changes from the squad and 3-2-3-2 formation that played Turkey. Norway had a 3-2-1-1-2: three defenders, two defensive midfielders, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder to the right, and three strikers more to the left, with one of them farther behind than the others.
Overall, no one on the Canadian team were very good. Clearly Angel Vang was the man of the match with all his crucial saves, but Eldridge was the best Canadian player in the outfield and deserves praise for his hard work.
Sterling Manuel and Burt Hatch were booked for Canada, while Norway's only yellow card went to Mons Thu.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Canada 1-4 Turkey: 2010 Senior World Cup Qualification
Turkish delight and Canadian disappointment: an unlucky loss puts Canada in early trouble of missing out on World Cup
A massive game for both teams, as the two countries knew a win here would go a long way in helping them reach the World Cup. Turkey, despite having missed out in the past two years, were still group favourites heading into this game, but started off poorly. Perry Ferreira and Leslie Love both had small chances, and Ferreira got Canada on the board in the 10th minute. Blake Thornton delivered a short cross into the box, Ferreira got ahead of Karahman Yilkan, controlled, and shot into the roof of the net. Turkey appeared starstruck. It could easily have been two when Ferreira was robbed by keeper Korkut Orun and, following a poor Turkish clearance, Shad Marcus sent a sizzling shot just wide of the top corner. Canada would pay for their missed chances. Senol Candeger forced Angel Vang into action with a good save, and a good passing play from Turkey led to Candeger threading Tumer Dirsehan through to score the equaliser. This gave the Turks confidence, and they should have taken the lead when Candeger, on a breakaway, unselfishly passed to Dirsehan, who forced Vang into making a world-class save to concede a corner. However, Canada were still creating chances of their own, and Carlos Eldridge was growing in stature, with his shot nearly going in if not for a solid save by Orun. It was 1-1 at half-time, and with the game a wide-open affair, the second half was sure to be important and exciting, with lots more goals.
Muzaffer Canol gave Turkey the lead with a low shot that went right through Angel Vang; a goalkeeping howler. Things got worse when, straight off the goal kick, Candeger raced past the defenders and beat Vang for Turkey's third. He scored his second just three minutes later from a tight angle after Canol headed a dangerous ball into the box. Canada had been shaken, but desperate tried to get back in the game. Ferreira would have scored his second if not for Orun's great save on a 1 v 1 effort. When substitute Terrance Bryson hit the woodwork near the end, it was clear that it just wasn't to be. Turkey scrape through for the 4-1 victory in a match where they struggled greatly.
Canada played well and will feel hard done by that they lost, as we should definitely have gotten, at the very least, a draw. However, a loss against Norway on Tuesday will all but eliminate us at just two games in, which shows how important this game was. Still, it was a strong overall performance.
Canada went with a 3-2-3-2. Paschal Burnham (defence), Burt Hatch (defensive midfield), and Leslie Love (attacking midfield) started to make cover for the likes of Fabian Currie, Horacio Vachon, and Julian Crosby, all now retired. Ferreira was the centre forward, with Eldridge playing to his right. Meanwhile, Turkey went with a 4-2-1-1-2, with a flat back four, two defensive midfielders, a center midfielder, an attacking midfielder on the right side, and one of the strikers, Dirsehan, playing in a deeper role than the other, Candeger, who was the best player on the pitch.
For Canada, the man of the match award would have to go to Perry Ferreira, although the likes of Hatch and Marcus were impressive as well, among many other good performances.
There wasn't a single booking in this match.
A massive game for both teams, as the two countries knew a win here would go a long way in helping them reach the World Cup. Turkey, despite having missed out in the past two years, were still group favourites heading into this game, but started off poorly. Perry Ferreira and Leslie Love both had small chances, and Ferreira got Canada on the board in the 10th minute. Blake Thornton delivered a short cross into the box, Ferreira got ahead of Karahman Yilkan, controlled, and shot into the roof of the net. Turkey appeared starstruck. It could easily have been two when Ferreira was robbed by keeper Korkut Orun and, following a poor Turkish clearance, Shad Marcus sent a sizzling shot just wide of the top corner. Canada would pay for their missed chances. Senol Candeger forced Angel Vang into action with a good save, and a good passing play from Turkey led to Candeger threading Tumer Dirsehan through to score the equaliser. This gave the Turks confidence, and they should have taken the lead when Candeger, on a breakaway, unselfishly passed to Dirsehan, who forced Vang into making a world-class save to concede a corner. However, Canada were still creating chances of their own, and Carlos Eldridge was growing in stature, with his shot nearly going in if not for a solid save by Orun. It was 1-1 at half-time, and with the game a wide-open affair, the second half was sure to be important and exciting, with lots more goals.
Muzaffer Canol gave Turkey the lead with a low shot that went right through Angel Vang; a goalkeeping howler. Things got worse when, straight off the goal kick, Candeger raced past the defenders and beat Vang for Turkey's third. He scored his second just three minutes later from a tight angle after Canol headed a dangerous ball into the box. Canada had been shaken, but desperate tried to get back in the game. Ferreira would have scored his second if not for Orun's great save on a 1 v 1 effort. When substitute Terrance Bryson hit the woodwork near the end, it was clear that it just wasn't to be. Turkey scrape through for the 4-1 victory in a match where they struggled greatly.
Canada played well and will feel hard done by that they lost, as we should definitely have gotten, at the very least, a draw. However, a loss against Norway on Tuesday will all but eliminate us at just two games in, which shows how important this game was. Still, it was a strong overall performance.
Canada went with a 3-2-3-2. Paschal Burnham (defence), Burt Hatch (defensive midfield), and Leslie Love (attacking midfield) started to make cover for the likes of Fabian Currie, Horacio Vachon, and Julian Crosby, all now retired. Ferreira was the centre forward, with Eldridge playing to his right. Meanwhile, Turkey went with a 4-2-1-1-2, with a flat back four, two defensive midfielders, a center midfielder, an attacking midfielder on the right side, and one of the strikers, Dirsehan, playing in a deeper role than the other, Candeger, who was the best player on the pitch.
For Canada, the man of the match award would have to go to Perry Ferreira, although the likes of Hatch and Marcus were impressive as well, among many other good performances.
There wasn't a single booking in this match.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Canada 4-5 USA (AET): 2010 U21ConfedCup
Canada loses to the States AGAIN...in a thrilling, yet heartbreaking game that could be remembered for a while
Canada nearly got off to a perfect start almost immediately after the kick-off, when Truman Land's shot was saved by Ramiro Mohr, and Rueben Webber blasted the rebound over the bar. However, the striker made amends in the 19th minute by controlling Truman Land's cross, and scoring from the side of the penalty area into the far bottom corner of the net. The Americans had their chances, with Antonio Hooks looking particularly dangerous, but Hernandez made some comfortable saves, and, meanwhile, at the other end, Webber hit the bar. So, at half-time, the Americans could count themselves lucky to not be down by more than one.
Around two or three minutes into the second half, Cho raced inside the penalty area, and was brought down cleanly by defender Aidan Winston, who then gave the ball away to Floyd Hewitt. The midfielder had a go from nearly thirty yards out, and his shot flew into the roof of the net for Canada's second goal. The Americans soon got back in the game through a long-range effort from Brandon Morin, which Hernandez could have saved. Morin then headed Stuart Darden's free kick into the path of Hooks, who scored from close range to complete the comeback. Things went from bad to worse for the Canadians, as Floyd Hewitt received his second yellow card of the game following a challenge from behind on Morin. There was more to come from the Americans: Hooks scored the go-ahead goal for the Americans with a long-range strike that went over Hernandez and in, followed by a second from Hooks, this time with a low shot that rolled in past the near post after Mitchell Costa's steal. Canada, in the space of eighteen minutes, had gone from 2-0 up to two goals down and a man short, and it seemed there was no way they could make it to the semi-finals now. Alphonso Cho, so often criticised over the course of the tournament for his poor finishes, gave Canada a lifeline, connecting with a Cedrick Weir free kick to send a looping header into the back of the net. Hooks missed two good chances to put the game to bed, and Cho hit the crossbar from long-range. Finally, with three minutes to go, Cho received the ball in the center of the field, ditched a couple of tackles, and ran into the penalty box where he coolly slotted the ball past Mohr to surely send the quarter-final into extra time. There was still time for another turn to the plot, with Hooks hitting the post and Blair Cottrell tackled at the last second by Lou Saucier before he could score on the rebound. In injury time, Canadian substitute Cristobal Carney had one last kick of the can, but his shot was easily saved by Mohr, and, just like in the recent Senior ConfedCup, extra time would determine the fate of these bitter North American rivals.
It took around 15 minutes for the golden goal to arrive. Prior to that, Cho had seen his shot saved and Carney's long-range effort went just inches wide. The Americans scored when Jack Samuel was put through on breakaway, and although Hernandez had saved his first effort, the rebound was what gave the Americans the extra-time victory and a berth in the top four.
It really was a close game that could have gone either way. Canada had the better of the first half and extra time, but the second half was controlled by the U.S.A, and they were unlucky to see their lead vanish late on. Although the finish was heartbreaking, we can go out with our heads held high after a very good performance that, on our day, would have sen us go through...whatever, we'll get those damned Americans next time! :)
Canada went with virtually the same tactic as the one against Kuwait (a 4-3-3), except Waylon Lagueux replaced Doug Laframboise in central defence. The Americans went with the commonly seen 3-2-1-2-2, with one of the attacking midfielders (Morin) playing much more as a striker.
The likes of Hooks and Morin were fantastic in attack for the States, but for Canada, I'd say Cho was probably our best player, although it was a good performance from everyone, and Weir and Carney were useful substitutes.
Besides Hewitt's double-yellow, the only other booking of the match went to the USA's Houston Farley.
Canada nearly got off to a perfect start almost immediately after the kick-off, when Truman Land's shot was saved by Ramiro Mohr, and Rueben Webber blasted the rebound over the bar. However, the striker made amends in the 19th minute by controlling Truman Land's cross, and scoring from the side of the penalty area into the far bottom corner of the net. The Americans had their chances, with Antonio Hooks looking particularly dangerous, but Hernandez made some comfortable saves, and, meanwhile, at the other end, Webber hit the bar. So, at half-time, the Americans could count themselves lucky to not be down by more than one.
Around two or three minutes into the second half, Cho raced inside the penalty area, and was brought down cleanly by defender Aidan Winston, who then gave the ball away to Floyd Hewitt. The midfielder had a go from nearly thirty yards out, and his shot flew into the roof of the net for Canada's second goal. The Americans soon got back in the game through a long-range effort from Brandon Morin, which Hernandez could have saved. Morin then headed Stuart Darden's free kick into the path of Hooks, who scored from close range to complete the comeback. Things went from bad to worse for the Canadians, as Floyd Hewitt received his second yellow card of the game following a challenge from behind on Morin. There was more to come from the Americans: Hooks scored the go-ahead goal for the Americans with a long-range strike that went over Hernandez and in, followed by a second from Hooks, this time with a low shot that rolled in past the near post after Mitchell Costa's steal. Canada, in the space of eighteen minutes, had gone from 2-0 up to two goals down and a man short, and it seemed there was no way they could make it to the semi-finals now. Alphonso Cho, so often criticised over the course of the tournament for his poor finishes, gave Canada a lifeline, connecting with a Cedrick Weir free kick to send a looping header into the back of the net. Hooks missed two good chances to put the game to bed, and Cho hit the crossbar from long-range. Finally, with three minutes to go, Cho received the ball in the center of the field, ditched a couple of tackles, and ran into the penalty box where he coolly slotted the ball past Mohr to surely send the quarter-final into extra time. There was still time for another turn to the plot, with Hooks hitting the post and Blair Cottrell tackled at the last second by Lou Saucier before he could score on the rebound. In injury time, Canadian substitute Cristobal Carney had one last kick of the can, but his shot was easily saved by Mohr, and, just like in the recent Senior ConfedCup, extra time would determine the fate of these bitter North American rivals.
It took around 15 minutes for the golden goal to arrive. Prior to that, Cho had seen his shot saved and Carney's long-range effort went just inches wide. The Americans scored when Jack Samuel was put through on breakaway, and although Hernandez had saved his first effort, the rebound was what gave the Americans the extra-time victory and a berth in the top four.
It really was a close game that could have gone either way. Canada had the better of the first half and extra time, but the second half was controlled by the U.S.A, and they were unlucky to see their lead vanish late on. Although the finish was heartbreaking, we can go out with our heads held high after a very good performance that, on our day, would have sen us go through...whatever, we'll get those damned Americans next time! :)
Canada went with virtually the same tactic as the one against Kuwait (a 4-3-3), except Waylon Lagueux replaced Doug Laframboise in central defence. The Americans went with the commonly seen 3-2-1-2-2, with one of the attacking midfielders (Morin) playing much more as a striker.
The likes of Hooks and Morin were fantastic in attack for the States, but for Canada, I'd say Cho was probably our best player, although it was a good performance from everyone, and Weir and Carney were useful substitutes.
Besides Hewitt's double-yellow, the only other booking of the match went to the USA's Houston Farley.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Canada 4-1 Kuwait: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Kuwait easily dispatched as Canada advances to the quarter-finals.
The first real chance of the game came to Alphonso Cho, who made the most of it by finishing well from close-range after receiving Truman Land's pass. The two combined again for the second goal, although this time it was Cho who made the pass. Land finished it off with a low shot from the corner of the penalty box. Kuwait got back in the game following Doug Laframboise's poor clearance with a strike from the edge of the box from Abdelnaser Al Amer which Houston Hernandez really should have saved. However, Canada's two-goal cushion was immediately restored through Floyd Hewitt with a stunning strike from a long way out that flew into the top corner past a helpless Sayed Bo Qamaz in the Kuwaiti net. Land could have made it 4-1 at half-time, but his effort hit the bar, and so Canada went into the break with a comfortable lead, although there was still much to be done in order to preserve it.
Canada struggled to create scoring chances in the second half, and at the other end, Al Amer and Esmael Al Arbash both came close. Eventually, substitute Cristobal Carney took Rueben Webber's pass, ran into the penalty area and shot inside the far post for the fourth goal of the game, and the Canadians hung on for a 4-1 win. We're going to the quarter-finals to face, yet again, the United States.
This was a very boring game to watch, as the defences were on top, and both teams had to resort to long-range efforts, most of which weren't dangerous at all. Canada went with a 4-3-3 similar to the one that played against Nigeria, except the defence was a flat back four instead of the fullbacks being placed higher than the central defenders, the two defensive midfielders were at wider positions than against Nigeria, and there was no real attacking midfielder, but a central one. The center forward, Cho, was slightly more advanced than the other two, who weren't stretched out too wide. Kurait, meanwhile, fielded a 3-5-2, or 3-2-2-1-2, with a pentagon midfield.
Despite his mistake which helped Kuwait score their only goal of the game, Laframboise formed a solid partnership with Alfonso Farr in central defence, and the defensive midfielders Alden Miranda and Stephan McLean stopped most of Kuwait's attacks. Although Webber was virtually invisible for most of the game, Floyd Hewitt looked quite good in central midfield, and Truman Land terrorized the Kuwait defence by creating many chances. For me, Land was the best player on the pitch today and deserves his man of the match award.
The USA eliminated us from the last U21 ConfedCup at this stage, and also beat us in the senior ConfedCup semi-final. Add in the real life Winter Olympics hockey final many Americans are still, I'm sure, frustrated about, and you've got an intense match-up both countries really want to win. However, if Canada are to beat our neighbours to the south, we'll have to do it without Parker Fay; he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament late in this game.
The first real chance of the game came to Alphonso Cho, who made the most of it by finishing well from close-range after receiving Truman Land's pass. The two combined again for the second goal, although this time it was Cho who made the pass. Land finished it off with a low shot from the corner of the penalty box. Kuwait got back in the game following Doug Laframboise's poor clearance with a strike from the edge of the box from Abdelnaser Al Amer which Houston Hernandez really should have saved. However, Canada's two-goal cushion was immediately restored through Floyd Hewitt with a stunning strike from a long way out that flew into the top corner past a helpless Sayed Bo Qamaz in the Kuwaiti net. Land could have made it 4-1 at half-time, but his effort hit the bar, and so Canada went into the break with a comfortable lead, although there was still much to be done in order to preserve it.
Canada struggled to create scoring chances in the second half, and at the other end, Al Amer and Esmael Al Arbash both came close. Eventually, substitute Cristobal Carney took Rueben Webber's pass, ran into the penalty area and shot inside the far post for the fourth goal of the game, and the Canadians hung on for a 4-1 win. We're going to the quarter-finals to face, yet again, the United States.
This was a very boring game to watch, as the defences were on top, and both teams had to resort to long-range efforts, most of which weren't dangerous at all. Canada went with a 4-3-3 similar to the one that played against Nigeria, except the defence was a flat back four instead of the fullbacks being placed higher than the central defenders, the two defensive midfielders were at wider positions than against Nigeria, and there was no real attacking midfielder, but a central one. The center forward, Cho, was slightly more advanced than the other two, who weren't stretched out too wide. Kurait, meanwhile, fielded a 3-5-2, or 3-2-2-1-2, with a pentagon midfield.
Despite his mistake which helped Kuwait score their only goal of the game, Laframboise formed a solid partnership with Alfonso Farr in central defence, and the defensive midfielders Alden Miranda and Stephan McLean stopped most of Kuwait's attacks. Although Webber was virtually invisible for most of the game, Floyd Hewitt looked quite good in central midfield, and Truman Land terrorized the Kuwait defence by creating many chances. For me, Land was the best player on the pitch today and deserves his man of the match award.
The USA eliminated us from the last U21 ConfedCup at this stage, and also beat us in the senior ConfedCup semi-final. Add in the real life Winter Olympics hockey final many Americans are still, I'm sure, frustrated about, and you've got an intense match-up both countries really want to win. However, if Canada are to beat our neighbours to the south, we'll have to do it without Parker Fay; he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament late in this game.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Canada 12-1 Vietnam: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Canada wins easily while a Nigeria loss to Ecuador seals our passage into the knock-out stages!
Gaston Clement scored the first from about 25 yards out, his brilliant shot sailing into the far corner of the net. Alphonso Cho added the second four minutes later from the corner of the penalty area, and then made it three after gliding into the penalty area on breakaway; the fourth goal was also on a breakaway, scored by Grant Boivin. Rueben Webber and Cristobal Carney had their chances, but couldn't hit the target or beat goalkeeper Vo Thuyet, and so the half-time score was only 4-0 for Canada. Carney finally got on the score sheet in the 53rd minute, but only after his first shot was saved by Vo. What happened next was Cho hitting his stride: he got his hat trick three minutes later, followed by his fourth goal with an hour gone, and then a strike from long range that went over Vo and in, before finally score his sixth and final goal with a shot that flew into the top corner. Webber then scored his first from a tight angle, and Vietnam shockingly scored their only goal of the game when Nguyen Tong scored from a few yards to the left of the edge of the penalty area with a shot that went in off the far post. The game ended with two strikes from substitute Truman Land, the first from long-range and the second on a one-on-one with the goalie. So, 12-1 the final score, and a 3-0 victory for Ecuador against Nigeria meant that the Africans were eliminated and Canada have advanced on goal difference!
In the end, Canada did what was expected: a rout, although allowing one goal against a seven-man Vietnam side is frankly embarrassing. Still, Canada have made it through, and that's all that really counts. Most importantly, Canada seems to have solved the problem with Alphonso Cho. The North Americans used the 3-2-2-3 tactic again, but with some changes. Stephan McLean was moved to defensive midfield, the two wing strikers were closer to the middle, and Carney and Cho swapped places, meaning that Carney became the center striker and Cho played on the side. Although Cho probably had his best display so far, and is clearly this game's man of the match, Carney probably had his worst, and so now he's the one who is struggling. Could it be something to do with playing in the middle? Whatever the answer is, mikexvi will be pulling his hair out trying to find where exactly to play which players when the playoffs start.
Vietnam fielded a 3-2-1 with the limited players they had, with one central midfielder and two attacking players on the wing. Parker Fay continued the trend of each of Canada's games featuring one of our players being yellow-card by being booked in the 13th minute.
Gaston Clement scored the first from about 25 yards out, his brilliant shot sailing into the far corner of the net. Alphonso Cho added the second four minutes later from the corner of the penalty area, and then made it three after gliding into the penalty area on breakaway; the fourth goal was also on a breakaway, scored by Grant Boivin. Rueben Webber and Cristobal Carney had their chances, but couldn't hit the target or beat goalkeeper Vo Thuyet, and so the half-time score was only 4-0 for Canada. Carney finally got on the score sheet in the 53rd minute, but only after his first shot was saved by Vo. What happened next was Cho hitting his stride: he got his hat trick three minutes later, followed by his fourth goal with an hour gone, and then a strike from long range that went over Vo and in, before finally score his sixth and final goal with a shot that flew into the top corner. Webber then scored his first from a tight angle, and Vietnam shockingly scored their only goal of the game when Nguyen Tong scored from a few yards to the left of the edge of the penalty area with a shot that went in off the far post. The game ended with two strikes from substitute Truman Land, the first from long-range and the second on a one-on-one with the goalie. So, 12-1 the final score, and a 3-0 victory for Ecuador against Nigeria meant that the Africans were eliminated and Canada have advanced on goal difference!
In the end, Canada did what was expected: a rout, although allowing one goal against a seven-man Vietnam side is frankly embarrassing. Still, Canada have made it through, and that's all that really counts. Most importantly, Canada seems to have solved the problem with Alphonso Cho. The North Americans used the 3-2-2-3 tactic again, but with some changes. Stephan McLean was moved to defensive midfield, the two wing strikers were closer to the middle, and Carney and Cho swapped places, meaning that Carney became the center striker and Cho played on the side. Although Cho probably had his best display so far, and is clearly this game's man of the match, Carney probably had his worst, and so now he's the one who is struggling. Could it be something to do with playing in the middle? Whatever the answer is, mikexvi will be pulling his hair out trying to find where exactly to play which players when the playoffs start.
Vietnam fielded a 3-2-1 with the limited players they had, with one central midfielder and two attacking players on the wing. Parker Fay continued the trend of each of Canada's games featuring one of our players being yellow-card by being booked in the 13th minute.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Canada 0-1 Ecuador: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Veragua header puts Canada in danger of elimination.
The game's first chance was a big one, with Alfonso Cho's shot being saved by Virila Puerto after he had also saved Webber's effort from a tight angle. Canada continued to create good chances from all over the field, but the three strikers - Webber, Cho, and Cristobal Carney - just couldn't score, usually missing the target altogether. The Canadians also dominated possession, but many moves faltered in the last third of the pitch thanks to some great Ecuadorian defending. Although Canada were controlling most of the first half, Ecuador forced Houston Hernandez in the Canadian net into some fine saves, with good, accurate shots from long-range. Still, in what was a boring first half, neither side could score, and so the teams entered the changing rooms with the scoreline indicating a 0-0 stalemate.
Immediately following an Ecuador triple-substitution, Zelipe Laviada's free kick found the head of one of the substitutes, Xaiver Veragua, whose first touch of the game was a good one to say the least; his looping header sailed over Hernandez and into the Canadian net for the first goal of the game. Ulises Lezarreta came close to a second ten minutes later, but his close-range shot was parried by Hernandez for a corner. Webber and substitute Truman Land each forced a good save out of Puerto, but Canada's best chance of the game so far would come in the 83rd minute. Substitute defender Cedrick Weir made a long pass to Land, who raced through on goal, and saw his shot saved by Puerto. The ball bounced behind the keeper, and Cho ended up finidng himself in front of an open net. He then blasted it high and wide, and Ecuador, somehow, were still leading. That proved to be all the South Americans needed to make it to the final whistle. Canada had been robbed again.
Canada used the same tactic twice in a row for the first time in the tournament, as we again saw the 3-2-2-3 formation. Ecuador fielded a 3-2-1-2-2, with one of the attacking midfielders playing more as a striker.
Carney had a poor game on the wing this time, and the other two strikers weren't that good either. Cho seems to have gotten worse and worse, and at this rate, despite being arguably the squad's most skilled striker, it's difficult to say if he should start at all. Land looked good in this game, and all the defenders were solid, but overall, this was a weak performance, and the man of the match would have to be an Ecuadorian player. The scorer Veragua, the keeper Puerto, defenders Xuaco Sampil and Aguirre Iturriz, and defensive midfielder Ubarna Ucieda are all good candidates, but I thought attacking midfielder Zuri Barbas was particularly lively, impressive, and dangerous, so I'll give him the man of the match title.
Canada are currently five points behind Ecuador, who have now mathematically qualified, and three behind Nigeria in second. Canada plays the worst team in the group, Vietnam, last, so that should be an automatic win. Nigeria play Ecuador, and if the Africans lose we'll be through instead of them because our goal difference is already five better than theirs. If Nigeria draw or win however, they'll be through with Ecuador and Canada will be going home early.
Phillip Bass of Canada received the game's only booking.
The game's first chance was a big one, with Alfonso Cho's shot being saved by Virila Puerto after he had also saved Webber's effort from a tight angle. Canada continued to create good chances from all over the field, but the three strikers - Webber, Cho, and Cristobal Carney - just couldn't score, usually missing the target altogether. The Canadians also dominated possession, but many moves faltered in the last third of the pitch thanks to some great Ecuadorian defending. Although Canada were controlling most of the first half, Ecuador forced Houston Hernandez in the Canadian net into some fine saves, with good, accurate shots from long-range. Still, in what was a boring first half, neither side could score, and so the teams entered the changing rooms with the scoreline indicating a 0-0 stalemate.
Immediately following an Ecuador triple-substitution, Zelipe Laviada's free kick found the head of one of the substitutes, Xaiver Veragua, whose first touch of the game was a good one to say the least; his looping header sailed over Hernandez and into the Canadian net for the first goal of the game. Ulises Lezarreta came close to a second ten minutes later, but his close-range shot was parried by Hernandez for a corner. Webber and substitute Truman Land each forced a good save out of Puerto, but Canada's best chance of the game so far would come in the 83rd minute. Substitute defender Cedrick Weir made a long pass to Land, who raced through on goal, and saw his shot saved by Puerto. The ball bounced behind the keeper, and Cho ended up finidng himself in front of an open net. He then blasted it high and wide, and Ecuador, somehow, were still leading. That proved to be all the South Americans needed to make it to the final whistle. Canada had been robbed again.
Canada used the same tactic twice in a row for the first time in the tournament, as we again saw the 3-2-2-3 formation. Ecuador fielded a 3-2-1-2-2, with one of the attacking midfielders playing more as a striker.
Carney had a poor game on the wing this time, and the other two strikers weren't that good either. Cho seems to have gotten worse and worse, and at this rate, despite being arguably the squad's most skilled striker, it's difficult to say if he should start at all. Land looked good in this game, and all the defenders were solid, but overall, this was a weak performance, and the man of the match would have to be an Ecuadorian player. The scorer Veragua, the keeper Puerto, defenders Xuaco Sampil and Aguirre Iturriz, and defensive midfielder Ubarna Ucieda are all good candidates, but I thought attacking midfielder Zuri Barbas was particularly lively, impressive, and dangerous, so I'll give him the man of the match title.
Canada are currently five points behind Ecuador, who have now mathematically qualified, and three behind Nigeria in second. Canada plays the worst team in the group, Vietnam, last, so that should be an automatic win. Nigeria play Ecuador, and if the Africans lose we'll be through instead of them because our goal difference is already five better than theirs. If Nigeria draw or win however, they'll be through with Ecuador and Canada will be going home early.
Phillip Bass of Canada received the game's only booking.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Canada 7-0 Algeria: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Five-goal game by Rueben Webber helps Canada sail comfortably past Algeria
Canada wasted no time racing into the lead, with an early goal by Rueben Webber. Cristobal Carney scored the second nine minutes later, and Webber added a third with a 23rd minute strike; Alphonso Cho assisted on all three. Webber than notched up a hat trick at the half-hour mark. Cho wasted a couple of good chances, Carney hit the woodwork, and Canada so Canada found the net no more than four times in the first half. Webber scored two long-range screamers early in the second half, the second one Abdelghani Dahleb should have saved. Substitute Leonard Carrier scored the seventh and final goal after a defensive mistake by Algeria.
Canada enjoyed 74% possession, while Algeria didn't even record a shot. The Algerians fielded a nearly indentical tactic to the one Nigeria had when they played us: a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Canada went back to the tactic that beat Saudi Arabia: a 3-2-2-3 with wide attacking midfielders and a wing striker (Carney, and later substitute Truman Land). Canada were by no means particularly outstanding, but they did what they had to do: win comfortably. A win or draw against Ecuador will probably see us safely through. A loss, and we'll have to hope Nigeria doesn't overtake us on goal difference.
Cho was poor again, having as many chances as Webber, but scoring none of them. Rueben Webber, on the other hand, shone by scoring five goals and so it's obvious he's the man of the match for Canada.
Truman Land (Canada) and Harry Gallacher (Algeria) were booked.
Canada wasted no time racing into the lead, with an early goal by Rueben Webber. Cristobal Carney scored the second nine minutes later, and Webber added a third with a 23rd minute strike; Alphonso Cho assisted on all three. Webber than notched up a hat trick at the half-hour mark. Cho wasted a couple of good chances, Carney hit the woodwork, and Canada so Canada found the net no more than four times in the first half. Webber scored two long-range screamers early in the second half, the second one Abdelghani Dahleb should have saved. Substitute Leonard Carrier scored the seventh and final goal after a defensive mistake by Algeria.
Canada enjoyed 74% possession, while Algeria didn't even record a shot. The Algerians fielded a nearly indentical tactic to the one Nigeria had when they played us: a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Canada went back to the tactic that beat Saudi Arabia: a 3-2-2-3 with wide attacking midfielders and a wing striker (Carney, and later substitute Truman Land). Canada were by no means particularly outstanding, but they did what they had to do: win comfortably. A win or draw against Ecuador will probably see us safely through. A loss, and we'll have to hope Nigeria doesn't overtake us on goal difference.
Cho was poor again, having as many chances as Webber, but scoring none of them. Rueben Webber, on the other hand, shone by scoring five goals and so it's obvious he's the man of the match for Canada.
Truman Land (Canada) and Harry Gallacher (Algeria) were booked.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Canada 1-1 Nigeria: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Canada simmed: a 1-1 draw against Nigeria could prove costly
The opening fifteen minutes were quite even, with Alphonso Cho having the best chance when his close-range effort was caught well by Romanus Ayorinde. It was at the twenty-minute mark that Murtala Obasi stunned the Canadians by shooting past Houston Hernandez and in after a good through-ball by Onyemere Okafor. Ayorinde continued to make some good saves on close-range shots, but the biggest scare for Nigeria was when Rueben Webber got a piece of a Canadian corner, and forced defender Olejuru Okonu to clear off the line. The Nigerians held on until half-time, a real cause for concern for Canada.
Canada won a penalty early in the second half after Webber's shot was saved and Cho was fouled by Sadiq John Obi just as he was pulling back the trigger. John Obi was sent off and Canada had the chance to tie with a penalty. Cho stepped up...and his weak penalty was saved easily by Ayorinde. Soon after, Cho unselfishly passed to substitute Cristobal Carney, who scored with a cool finish to tie the game at 1-1, but Canada were still not winning. Another substitute, Cedrick Weir, hit the post from long range, and Chieloka Obafemi kicked the ball away before Cho could get the chance to score on the rebound. Canada put immense pressure on the Nigerian net in injury time. Cho found himself through on goal but instead made an awful pass and Nigeria cleared. Canada got the ball back and, eventually, Carney stole the ball from Tosin Akinola and shot. Ayorinde saved, and Akinola cleared before Carney could try again. That sealed it: an unlikely and very lucky draw for Nigeria.
Canada switched their tactics in this game. They fielded a 4-2-1-3 (two defensive midfielders, one attacking mid, and three strikers, with Cho playing a little farther up field than the other two) against a Nigerian 4-1-2-1-2 (a flat back four, a diamond midfield with very wide wide-men, and two up front in the middle). They dominated SC's, but couldn't find a way past Ayorinde. Sometimes the sim does this to you.
Though the obvious man of the match would be Ayorinde, the duo of Carney and Cedrick Weir were very impressive off the bench, so I'll give Canada's man of the match award to Cristobal Carney. However, Canada needs to get back on track against Algeria.
Besides Sadiq John Obi's sending-off, there were two yellow carded players: Canada's Alden Miranda and Nigeria's Sam Eliakwu.
The opening fifteen minutes were quite even, with Alphonso Cho having the best chance when his close-range effort was caught well by Romanus Ayorinde. It was at the twenty-minute mark that Murtala Obasi stunned the Canadians by shooting past Houston Hernandez and in after a good through-ball by Onyemere Okafor. Ayorinde continued to make some good saves on close-range shots, but the biggest scare for Nigeria was when Rueben Webber got a piece of a Canadian corner, and forced defender Olejuru Okonu to clear off the line. The Nigerians held on until half-time, a real cause for concern for Canada.
Canada won a penalty early in the second half after Webber's shot was saved and Cho was fouled by Sadiq John Obi just as he was pulling back the trigger. John Obi was sent off and Canada had the chance to tie with a penalty. Cho stepped up...and his weak penalty was saved easily by Ayorinde. Soon after, Cho unselfishly passed to substitute Cristobal Carney, who scored with a cool finish to tie the game at 1-1, but Canada were still not winning. Another substitute, Cedrick Weir, hit the post from long range, and Chieloka Obafemi kicked the ball away before Cho could get the chance to score on the rebound. Canada put immense pressure on the Nigerian net in injury time. Cho found himself through on goal but instead made an awful pass and Nigeria cleared. Canada got the ball back and, eventually, Carney stole the ball from Tosin Akinola and shot. Ayorinde saved, and Akinola cleared before Carney could try again. That sealed it: an unlikely and very lucky draw for Nigeria.
Canada switched their tactics in this game. They fielded a 4-2-1-3 (two defensive midfielders, one attacking mid, and three strikers, with Cho playing a little farther up field than the other two) against a Nigerian 4-1-2-1-2 (a flat back four, a diamond midfield with very wide wide-men, and two up front in the middle). They dominated SC's, but couldn't find a way past Ayorinde. Sometimes the sim does this to you.
Though the obvious man of the match would be Ayorinde, the duo of Carney and Cedrick Weir were very impressive off the bench, so I'll give Canada's man of the match award to Cristobal Carney. However, Canada needs to get back on track against Algeria.
Besides Sadiq John Obi's sending-off, there were two yellow carded players: Canada's Alden Miranda and Nigeria's Sam Eliakwu.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Canada 8-0 Saudi Arabia: 2010 U21 ConfedCup
Canada drill eight past Saudi Arabia in an easy start to the U21 ConfedCup.
Rueben Webber had the first real chance of the game when he hit the woodwork ten minutes in, but it wasn't long until he set up the first goal of the game which was finished off by Cristobal Carney from a tight angle. Alphonso Cho then had the chance to put Canada two goals up, but blasted over an open net after Grant Boivin hit the bar. He redeemed himself by scoring from close range just before the breaker to put Canada ahead by the end of the first half. Cho started the second period as he had ended the first, scoring on a breakaway, before Webber got in on the fun, scoring a similar goal a few minutes later. Carney scored his second with another shot from a tight angle; Fawaz Taiban should have saved it, but instead it trickled in off the post. He made the same mistake when Webber scored in the 73rd minute. Six minutes later, Webber secured his hat trick, when he shot home after Taiban had saved his first effort. Cho notched up a hat trick as well, with another close-range effort in injury time. The final score: 8-0 for Canada.
Both teams fielded similar 3-4-3 variations, with the two attacking midfielders both on the wing and the defensive midfielders in the centre. Saudi Arabia's centre forward was slightly behind the other two, while Canada has a flat three in attack, with Carney the widest positioned player on the field. Canada easily outshot their opponents, although Taiban was medicore in net for the Saudis.
Carney looked good on the left wing, as did Boivin and defensive midfielder Parker Fay. Cho meanwhile, was slightly disappointing, struggling to hit the target, even though he did of course score three goals. Still, a solid all-around performance from team Canada and I'm going to give the man of the match award to Fay.
Canadian defender Sanford Braden picked up the game's only yellow card.
Rueben Webber had the first real chance of the game when he hit the woodwork ten minutes in, but it wasn't long until he set up the first goal of the game which was finished off by Cristobal Carney from a tight angle. Alphonso Cho then had the chance to put Canada two goals up, but blasted over an open net after Grant Boivin hit the bar. He redeemed himself by scoring from close range just before the breaker to put Canada ahead by the end of the first half. Cho started the second period as he had ended the first, scoring on a breakaway, before Webber got in on the fun, scoring a similar goal a few minutes later. Carney scored his second with another shot from a tight angle; Fawaz Taiban should have saved it, but instead it trickled in off the post. He made the same mistake when Webber scored in the 73rd minute. Six minutes later, Webber secured his hat trick, when he shot home after Taiban had saved his first effort. Cho notched up a hat trick as well, with another close-range effort in injury time. The final score: 8-0 for Canada.
Both teams fielded similar 3-4-3 variations, with the two attacking midfielders both on the wing and the defensive midfielders in the centre. Saudi Arabia's centre forward was slightly behind the other two, while Canada has a flat three in attack, with Carney the widest positioned player on the field. Canada easily outshot their opponents, although Taiban was medicore in net for the Saudis.
Carney looked good on the left wing, as did Boivin and defensive midfielder Parker Fay. Cho meanwhile, was slightly disappointing, struggling to hit the target, even though he did of course score three goals. Still, a solid all-around performance from team Canada and I'm going to give the man of the match award to Fay.
Canadian defender Sanford Braden picked up the game's only yellow card.
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