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| Canada 2014 World Cup Update By Aldwyn McGill |
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Canada allow clincher to slip away
After
opening a four point advantage atop its Group D
standings, Canada missed a golden opportunity to
clinch the group title and advancement into the
semi final round of the CONCACAF World Cup
Qualifiers.
With two games remaining Canada was held to a scoreless draw in its fourth match against Puerto Rico at BMO Field in Toronto.
Second place St Kitts lived to fight another day after scoring a late equalizer by Ian Lake in the 83th minute which gave them the much needed 1-1 tie with St Lucia.
Cliff Valcin gave St Lucia a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute but St Kitts and Nevis rallied behind the support of its home fans and fought back to tie the match when Lake extended his scoring streak to three matches at the World Cup qualifiers.
Lake equalizer stopped Canada from advancing and officially eliminated St Lucia from the tournament. The scoreless tie in Toronto also eliminated Puerto Rico which went down fighting to survive against a Canada team which controlled its own destiny.
BMO Field turned out to be a sticky wicket for Canada as Puerto Rico unleashed a defensive game plan with great effectiveness. For starters it had all of its players getting behind the ball in defense to rely on the counter attack, while Canada's ball possession advantage (for the most part) was nullified.
However, the story of the game for Canada was midfielder Ian Hume's missed scoring chance in the early minutes of the match. Humes was led by a perfect cross from captain De Rosario at the last post and with only the advancing Puerto Rico goalkeeper Brandon Saldana to beat Hume made not contacted (completely missed) with the ball, resulting in a Puerto Rico goal kick.
Had Hume scored it would have set the offensive tone for a Canada team which was coming a 7-goal output. In turn, coach Stephen Hart and Canada supporters had to live through some anxious moments late in the match which featured a muff of the potential game winner by Andres Perez in the 84th minute.
Perez broke into the six-yard box from inside right position, but decided to use a power shot instead of a neat placement. The shot cannoned off Canada goalkeeper Hirschfeld's chest, and into play to enable Canada to salvage a point and maintain its 4-point group lead.
It was a brilliant stop and may turn out to be the story of Canada's opening round at the W-C qualifiers which from all indications will carry Canada into the semi final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers as the Group D winner.
While
the game stats sheet showed Canada with three
times the chances (13-4) as Puerto Rico, there
were not many clear cut chances to take the
numbers in Canada's favor seriously.
However, in moving forward one would hope that it is a lesson learnt by coach Stephen Hart and his team. Canada was unable to penetrate and was almost snake bitten at the end.
But, give Canada credit, thus far the team has done what's required and has maintained its lead in the Group.
In spite of the
draw against Puerto Rico, Canada did not
lose ground and needs only a tie in its final
two matches to advance. Both matches are against
second-placed St. Kitts.
Canada Line up:- Lars Hirschfeld, Ante
Jazic, Adam Straith, David Edgar, Nik Ledgerwood,
Julian de Guzman, Terry Dunfield, Dwayne De
Rosario, Simeon Jackson (Tosaint Ricketts 70’),
Josh Simpson, Iain Hume (Olivier Occean 34’) ...
Subs not used: Kenny Stamatopoulos, Ashtone
Morgan, Joseph Di Chiara, Jonathan Beaulieu-Borgault
Puerto Rico Line up:- Brandon Saldana,
Scott Jones, Scott Horta, Richard Martínez,
Andrés Pérez, Cristian Arrieta, Peter Villegas
(Marco Vélez 57’), Alexis Rivera, Andrés Cabrero,
Tyler Wilson (Chris Megaloudis 78’)Héctor Ramos
(Stephan Barea 87’) ... Subs not used: Eric
Flecha, Noah Delgado, Gadiel Figueroa, Julian
Cardona, Juan Vélez
Referee: Stanley Lancaster (GUY)
Assistant Referees: Dionn Inniss (GUY), Venton
Mars (GUY)
Fourth Official: Otis James (GUY)
Attendance: 12,178
Jackson helps widen Canada's lead
....with hat
trick
Canada opens a four
point lead atop Group D in the second stage of
the 2014 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers after
disposing of St Lucia 7-0 in St Lucia. Simeon
Jackson registered a hat trick after scoring
three of the first four Canada goals while
Olivier Occean and Ian Humes scored two apiece
to give Canada the blow out win.
"I thought we
were very composed," said national head coach
Stephen Hart. "We used the ball well, we had
some good movement and passing. We were very
composed on the final pass and in our
finishing."
Jackson opened the scoring in the 18th minute on
a play up the middle by Adam Straith. Jackson
took the ball on the run and chipped it over the
goalkeeper Pessius Polius, the first of seven
goals against the teenaged goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later, Jackson doubled the lead when
he got the final touch on a bouncing ball in the
box from a corner kick. Straith again moved the
ball into Jackson's path.
Jackson's third goal came another 11 minutes
after that, but not before Occean made it 3-0 in
the 34th minute. Occean then assisted on
Jackson's hat trick goal.
In the second half, Occean made it 5-0 and Iain
Hume made it 6 and 7-0. On the final goal, it
was 20-year old debutant Ashtone Morgan who made
the perfect pass from right to left before Hume
sidestepped a defender and fired it home.
Canada's win
officially eliminated St. Lucia from the 2014
World Cup in Brazil, and expanded its lead over
second place St. Kitts and Nevis who fell
further behind from their 1-1 draw with host
Puerto Rico in third place.
Canada has a perfect record with three wins and
nine points from its three matches, while St.
Kitts and Nevis has five points and Puerto Rico
has two. This puts Puerto Rico in a must win
situation against Canada at BMO Field on Tuesday
11 October and the same for St. Kitts and Nevis
which is away against St. Lucia.
Canada’s 7:0 victory on 7 October 2011 was the
biggest in team history. Canada’s previous high
in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match was 5:1
over USA (way) back on
Canada's lineup:: Kenny Stamatopoulos
(GK), Ante Jazic, Adam Straith, David Edgar, Nik
Ledgerwood, Julian de Guzman, Iain Hume, Will
Johnson (17' Terry Dunfield), Simeon Jackson
(71' Ashtone Morgan), Dwayne De Rosario (54'
Josh Simpson), Olivier Occean.
St. Lucia's Lineup: Pessius
Polius (GK), Kurt Frederick (D), Bernard Edward,
Germal Valci, Pernal Williams, Tremain Paul, Guy
George (46' Jamil Joseph), Vernus Abbott (73'
Andreas Willie), Enderson George, Cleaveland
Simon (46' Kevin Edward), Cliff Valcin.
Canada Players milestone: Aston Morgan made
his first-ever appearance for Canada, while
midfielder Julian de Guzman, made his 50th
appearance for Canada. Striker Simeon Jackson
became ONLY the second player to score a hat
trick for Canada in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
match.
Alex Bunbury was
the first Canada player to accomplish this feat
after he scored three times in a FIFA World Cup
Qualifiers match in 1992 which gave Canada a 4:2
win over Bermuda.
Canada Soccer Notes: Canada 7-0 win
against St Lucia Friday October 7,
2011 was its highest scoring output in a single
game. Canada previous game scoring high tally was five goals in a 5:1 victory over USA on
22 June 1957 in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers -
(its first-ever official FIFA match).
Canada maintains lead in Group D
Canada continues to lead Group D of the CONCACAF 2014 World Cup qualifier second round after defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 at the Estadio Juán Rámon Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Canada got goals from Iain Hume, Simeon Jackson and Tosaint Ricketts in the 6 September 2011 victory. The win gives Canada 6 points and was its second in as many matches to stay ahead of St Kitts and Nevis which has 4 points.
St Kitts and Nevis defeated St Lucia 4-2 in their second match to stay within striking distance of Canada. With the two front runners still to meet in their home and away series, Canada faces St Lucia next in a rematch on October 7, before taking on Puerto Rico on November 11 at BMO Field in Toronto. Stay Tuned!
Canada opens 2014 WCQ with win
Canada opened its 2014 World Cup qualifier campaign with a 4-1 win against St Lucia. The match was played before a crowd of 11,500 at BMO Field in Toronto. Canada now leads Group D with 3 points to Puerto Rico and St Kitts and Nevis 1 point after the teams played to a scoreless draw in St Kitts in their opening match.
Canada is favored to advance out of its group but the ball is round and sometimes can roll its way into any team's net with the right momentum. This was the case at BMO Field when Canada took the early lead on a Josh Simpson opened a 1-0 lead for Canada in the 6th minute only to have St ,Lucia answer right back on a well taken shot by #10 Paul Tremain one minute later to silence the partisan Canada crowd.
But after a 1-1 deadlock at the intermission, Canada eventually imposed its will (no pun intended) on St Lucia with three goals from Dwayne De Rosario ((50'), Josh Simpson (61'), and Will Johnson. Coach Stephen Hart's was not overly impress with his team's lack of patience in the offensive zone in the first half but was seemed comforted by the fact that his offense got three second half goals that were unanswered.
Canada supporters we delighted with the four goals and created an electric atmosphere for Canada to open its 2014 World Cup qualifier account with three points at BMO (Bank of Montreal) Field. With the 12th man advantage critical to Canada's chances, last Friday match marked the fifth-consecutive time that Canada has attracted more than 10,000 fans to a home FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match.
As a result Canada record at home in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers improved to 25 wins, 11 draws and eight losses in its 44 matches. Canada's 4-1 victory over St Lucia improves its overall record in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to 37 wins, 29 draws and 30 losses.
The Canadian Soccer Association is marketing Canada's next two home games in anticipation of improving Canada's chances against Puerto Rico on October 11 and St Kitts and Nevis on November 15. Both matches are on Tuesdays and will kick off at 19.00 ET.
Canada plays its away matches on Tuesday September 6, against Puerto Rico, a team which many anticipate could be Canada's greatest test in the Group. Canada match against Puerto Rico will be played in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Following its upcoming September 6 match against Puerto
Rico, Canada then travels to play St Lucia in the return
match at Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet St.
Lucia on Friday October 7, and closes off its away
matches against St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday November
11.
All four teams in Group D will play six matches in
CONCACAF Stage 2 - a home and away match against each
opponent. Only the group winner will advance to CONCACAF
Stage 3. That next round's group will feature Honduras,
Cuba and the winner of CONCACAF Stage 2 Group C. In that
three-team Group C, Nicaragua has a 2:0 victory over
Dominica while Panama has yet to play.
Stay Tuned!
Canada Soccer Foreword (Volume 6) Canada Soccer is the second issue of Stars Soccer Review (SSR) magazine national project and it is called the “Best of Answers”.
Best of Answers is base on the mystery surrounding Canada and its inability to qualify for another FIFA World Cup after debuting in 1986. Lack of support at home games has also been part of Canada’s problem.
For answers, SSR did Interviews of high ranking Canadian club officials, including the top male and female Canadian players and their respective national coaches. We are confident that you will find the answers to your questions inside our Canada Soccer magazine.
Canada’s World Cup soccer history is uncovered in the magazine and the information reveals that Canada women have been carrying the Canadian flag at most of the FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Canada top four pro-teams are also covered as Vancouver Whitecaps joined Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) and both are amongst the top 5 clubs in the MLS in attendance. Montreal Impact is sure to create some excitement with its 2012 move to the MLS, while first year FC Edmonton remains in the NASL.
With the MLS absorbing three Canadian teams, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) is the path for Canadian players to transition from amateur to the professional ranks. The CSL is enjoying unbelievable growth and has expanded to 15 first Division teams which also have teams in the second division.
We have not forgotten the Toronto Lynx and the USL which at one time represented the highest level of professional soccer in Toronto before the arrival of the MLS and TFC. Also as important is GS United as one of the top amateur teams in Canada. We review the club’s relationship with the Caribbean Community.
Canada Soccer covers the Ontario Soccer Association’s Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum and its inductee requirements. The information is presented by Colin Jose.
Some Canada soccer Journalists are optimistic that Canada may return to the 2014 World Cup, while others have taken a more objective approach in their assessment of Canada’s chances. They all agree that Canada scheduling of its opening matches of the 2014 W-C qualifiers at BMO Field is a good move. Stay Tuned!!
Email Inquiries: info@ssrmagazine.com or info@caribbeanstars.com
Canada Launch "True Patriot Love" campaign
The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) launched its “True Patriot Love” promotional campaign to gain the much needed 12th man advantage for its 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualifiers home matches.
Canada will play three matches as part of the second round of the CONCACAF group qualifications. All three matches will be played at BMO Field in Toronto and public ticket sales features new fan friendly packages.
Canada first game will be on Friday September 2, against St. Lucia. Its second home match is scheduled for Tuesday October 11, against Puerto Rico and the all important third match is against St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday November 15.
“We are pleased to provide fans with an accessible ticket price range for these international matches,” stated Peter Montopoli, General Secretary, Canadian Soccer Association. “With all home matches being held in Toronto, we can, for the first time, offer a series package that not only regroups the three matches for a discounted rate, but also includes a perk that our fans will truly enjoy.”
Series tickets includes a three-match package and an offer a discount of 15% off individual ticket prices, in addition to a 30% rebate voucher applicable for select Canada Soccer Umbro merchandise on match day at the stadium.
Individual tickets range from $20 to $75. and both Series tickets and Individual tickets will be available via Ticketmaster at 855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Prices and Sections
$75: 123
$50: 122, 124
$30: 120, 121, 125, 126, 107, 108
$25: 119, 127, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111
$20: 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118
In addition, the Canadian Soccer Association, in partnership with the Ontario Soccer Association, is pleased to announce it is implementing a new local club group sales initiative in promotion of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Qualifiers. Local community soccer clubs will be offered the opportunity to support Canada and help “Paint the Stadium Red” through access to designated tickets at a 20% discount and several exciting sales incentives included. For more information on this initiative please contact marketing@soccercan.ca or call 613.237.7678.
As per previous matches, fans wanting to be in the Canadian supporters section should contact voyageurstickets@gmail.com.
Throughout the fall, the Canadian Soccer Association will be promoting the Men’s National Team run in the CONCACAF Round 2 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Qualifiers with a campaign themed “True Patriot Love”. The objective is to create a stronger emotional connection between the Association, the Men’s National Team and its fans across the country. The creative features the ever important 12th man and aims at encouraging supporters to show their colours and join the action at BMO Field.
