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 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.