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.