Canada never ceases to amaze in 2022 World Cup qualifying. On Sunday, in front of 12,000 spectators who seemed to outnumber them in the stands of Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, the Reds defeated the United States 2-0 .
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Photo AFP
Cyle Larin (17) was instrumental in Canada’s victory over the Americans in Hamilton on Sunday.
The Canadians remain the only undefeated team (6-0-4) in the tournament and remain first with 22 points.
Above all, this victory allowed the Canadians to take a four-point lead over the Americans (18 pts) while Mexico (17 pts) fell behind by settling for a 0-0 draw once morest Costa Rica despite a game played at home.
The last Canadian victory once morest the United States dates back to October 15, 2019 at BMO Field in Toronto. In their first meeting of the tournament, the two teams tied 1-1 in Nashville last September.
strike early
In a temperature of -5°C at kick-off, Canada opened the scoring in the 7e minute following a nice exchange between Cyle Larin and Jonathan David which allowed Larin to find himself alone once morest goalkeeper Matt Turner, whom he beat with a high shot.
It was for Larin a 23e goal with the national team, which allowed him to become the only record holder of the selection. He previously shared the title with Dwayne De Rosario.
Launched by a clearance from Kamal Miller of CF Montreal, Sam Adekugbe got rid of a defender in midfield to go alone towards Turner, beating him with a long shot to seal the game in time added (90+5).
Canada must play one last game in this international window once morest El Salvador next Wednesday.
The Reds have already had two shutouts in this window and a success in El Salvador might all but ensure their qualification for Qatar next fall.
Encore Borjan
For the second game in a row, goalkeeper Milan Borjan collected a shutout and he once once more performed a miracle by stretching his hand to deflect a ball off a Weston McKinnie header late in the first half.
“Milan haven’t been very busy, but they had a really big save to make and they made it happen,” noted head coach John Herdman.
The principal, however, refused to take all the glory.
“Defensively, we were amazing. It’s not just my stops. »
His American counterpart, Matt Turner, also managed a small feat by stopping Jonathan David and Cyle Larin in quick succession with regarding twenty minutes to play.
Dominant
Despite the loss, the United States put on a strong performance and dominated in most statistical columns.
“We offered a very strong collective performance, insisted coach Gregg Berhalter. I don’t remember being so dominant in an away match without winning. »
The Canadians didn’t shy away from taking advantage of a small field to play hard, but Berhalter believes his team dominated that aspect of the game as well.
“They weren’t able to contain our physical game, we were running from one end of the pitch to the other. I think we did well in that regard. »
Fewer goals
What surprises Canada is the quality of its defensive play which has long been deficient in the past. The mentality has changed.
“We want to be the CONCACAF team that concedes the fewest goals. We know that if we keep the shutout, we have enough quality up front to score goals,” said fullback Sam Adekugbe, who scored the second goal.
For the moment, the Canadians have allowed only five goals in ten games and are indeed first in this regard and all with players at the start of the season.
“Several players, including Kamal Miller and Alistair Johnston hadn’t played any minutes yet in the season and they knew they were going to have to put in a huge effort,” John Herdman remarked.
Culture change that works
HAMILTON | John Herdman arrived at the helm of the men’s national team in 2018 following enjoying great success with the women’s roster.
Since then, a cultural shift has taken place and the team has grown by leaps and bounds to take first place in the World Cup qualifying tournament ahead of powerhouses like Mexico and the United States.
“When I arrived, we said to ourselves if we managed to qualify, we might change the face of soccer in the country forever,” explained Herdman very affably following the match.
“I believe these men know that they can leave an indelible legacy on the culture of soccer in the country. »
His players pay him back. When goalkeeper Milan Borjan was asked why the team was progressing so quickly, he was clear: “It boils down to two words, John Herdman”.
soccer country
And change doesn’t just happen on the ground. When the Canadian team arrived at Tim Hortons Fields, hundreds of fans were massed. They were singing, dancing and holding smoke bombs as the American bus was greeted in the most Canadian of ways, with snowballs.
“The crowd was so dense when we arrived that the bus had difficulty making its way. It was the first time that I felt like I was living in a football country. »
Among the many supporters, there was Jason Botelho, an Ontarian who had traveled for the occasion.
“It’s amazing to see the team reach this stage in qualifying. It’s not something I expected to see in my lifetime. »
give back
Wrapped in a Canadian flag, Milan Borjan spent part of his adolescence in Hamilton where his parents, who arrived from Serbia in 2000, still live.
“I came here when I was 13. Canada has given my family everything, a better life and better schools. It’s my way of giving back to Canada, ”said the goalkeeper who offered a whole present to his father, whose birthday it was.
“We want to fulfill our dream of reaching the World Cup and giving Canada the respect it deserves,” he added.
Respect
The change therefore takes place quickly, but Herdman does not deny the past of the program.
“There is a lot of work that has been done before us, but this group has the chance to play a pioneering role for the future. We are breaking new records and it is part of my philosophy to be the first when we can be. »
And there is pride too. The team was often looked down on whereas now it inspires respect.
“Now, when we face the United States and other countries, they are afraid, which was not the case before. It’s a new Canada,” insisted Borjan.
Durable
What John Herdman, an Englishman, wants is that the change that takes place leads to a lasting situation.
“I am an immigrant here, we have a lot of immigrants who come from football countries and so there are a lot of people who find a niche with our team. »
And beyond the fans, he wants the team’s successes to provoke reflection among young players who hold two passports and who must choose which country they will represent on the international stage.
“We are starting to provoke a reflection among international players who have dual citizenship and that might allow us to establish something lasting by placing Canada in the top 20 or the top 30. [de la FIFA]. »