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.
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