Canada 2-2 Mexico: 2010 Senior World Cup

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.