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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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.
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