2010 World Cup Qualifying: Goalkeeping Error Costs Canada As They Draw 1-1 Against Jamaica
August 22nd 2008 00:30
Last night, Canada played their first game of the World Cup's third round of qualifying at the much hated BMO Field in Toronto against Jamaica. Compared to the match between Haiti and Suriname, this one was a real snooze-fest, nothing happened apart from the two goals, and both teams played as if they were more afraid to lose than anything else. So, this won't be a full match report, just a couple of observations I'd like to share with you guys.
First of all, possession was shared evenly between the two teams, so trying to guess who would win was a toss-up really. What Canada lacked in speed and individual skills, they made up for it by having a tight unit cohesion. In those cases, a team has to be sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction because one tiny little mistake by one individual can destroy any sense of accomplishment for the group, and that's what happened last night.
After a dull first half which ended 0-0, Canada were the first to score at the 47th minute of play after a nice passing sequence between players. Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario posted on the right wing made a nice cross to the far post where striker Tomasz Radzinski headed the ball down for Julian De Guzman to finish. It was a perfect training ground play that left the Jamaicans frozen in place. However, five minutes later, Lady Luck showed up on Jamaica's side. Indeed, Canada's goalkeeper grossly misjudged a corner kick by Andrew Williams. As soon as the ball was in the air, Onstad left his line to intercept the kick. He went too far, however, and the ball curled to the inside right towards the net. Onstad managed to punch the ball but it went in anyway. Now, some people will say that he didn't punch the ball properly or whatever, but the fact is, he shouldn't have gone out at all; the ball was heading straight to the far post where two Jamaican players were waiting, Onstad should have stayed on his line and try to block any incoming header.
That was the story of the match. Canada came close to retake the lead at the 70th minute but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did his job with back-to-back saves.
On a completely unrelated note, I found it funny that the officials didn't have the electronic thingy that shows substitutions and added time. For substitutions, they used those mini-picket signs with numbers, one red sign for the player who's going off, and the green sign for the player coming on. It was hilarious to me because even Haiti, a third-world country, one of the continent's poorest had the electronic thingy.
Anyways, that was it. Now, the Canadians has no choice but to win against Honduras and hope for the best when they'll meet Mexico.
Canada's line-up: Pat Onstad; Mike Klukowski, Richard Hastings, Paul Stalteri, Adrian Serioux; Julian De Guzman, Patrice Bernier (Iain Hume, 65th), Dwayne De Rosario; Atiba Hutchinson, Tomasz Radzinski, Rob Friend (Ali Gerba, 77th).
First of all, possession was shared evenly between the two teams, so trying to guess who would win was a toss-up really. What Canada lacked in speed and individual skills, they made up for it by having a tight unit cohesion. In those cases, a team has to be sure that everyone is pulling in the same direction because one tiny little mistake by one individual can destroy any sense of accomplishment for the group, and that's what happened last night.
After a dull first half which ended 0-0, Canada were the first to score at the 47th minute of play after a nice passing sequence between players. Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario posted on the right wing made a nice cross to the far post where striker Tomasz Radzinski headed the ball down for Julian De Guzman to finish. It was a perfect training ground play that left the Jamaicans frozen in place. However, five minutes later, Lady Luck showed up on Jamaica's side. Indeed, Canada's goalkeeper grossly misjudged a corner kick by Andrew Williams. As soon as the ball was in the air, Onstad left his line to intercept the kick. He went too far, however, and the ball curled to the inside right towards the net. Onstad managed to punch the ball but it went in anyway. Now, some people will say that he didn't punch the ball properly or whatever, but the fact is, he shouldn't have gone out at all; the ball was heading straight to the far post where two Jamaican players were waiting, Onstad should have stayed on his line and try to block any incoming header.
That was the story of the match. Canada came close to retake the lead at the 70th minute but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did his job with back-to-back saves.
On a completely unrelated note, I found it funny that the officials didn't have the electronic thingy that shows substitutions and added time. For substitutions, they used those mini-picket signs with numbers, one red sign for the player who's going off, and the green sign for the player coming on. It was hilarious to me because even Haiti, a third-world country, one of the continent's poorest had the electronic thingy.
Anyways, that was it. Now, the Canadians has no choice but to win against Honduras and hope for the best when they'll meet Mexico.
Match Highlights
Canada's line-up: Pat Onstad; Mike Klukowski, Richard Hastings, Paul Stalteri, Adrian Serioux; Julian De Guzman, Patrice Bernier (Iain Hume, 65th), Dwayne De Rosario; Atiba Hutchinson, Tomasz Radzinski, Rob Friend (Ali Gerba, 77th).
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Can't wait for Canada and the Socceroos to have a friendly . . . now there's a match just waiting to happen.
Cheers
Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
Football Slate
Yeah, you're right. It was a great save but the first shot (the volley) didn't seem to have too much power in it. I don't know, it lacked conviction somehow.
No one expected anything from Jamaica anyways so I guess it was Canada's game to win or lose. As for the Socceroos, well if they have the same team as they did in 2006, they'll probably trash Team Canada.
Thanks for stopping by