About Canada-Spain
Publié : 13 décembre 2003 19:02
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/columnis ... 35503_4320
Despite a heart-wrenching extra-time loss to Spain, the future of Canadian soccer is looking good.
One missed lunge. One wrong turn. One gallant young Spaniard who kept his head and stayed on his feet under pressure. One ball buried in the Canadian net in extra time, and just like that the shining prospect of a sensational quarterfinal upset at the men's Under-20 World Cup was gone.
Spain 2, Canada 1.
On the one hand, drat, drat, drat! On the other, what a wonderful performance by our brave and brilliant young lads!
Canada started strong, and for 15 minutes, the game was dead even. Josh Simpson, whose booming volley from way outside defeated Burkino Faso in the round of 16, hauled the ball deep on a good, surging run into the Spanish penalty area in the game's opening minute. Moments later, he was in again, gifted by a bad giveaway by Spanish defender Bouzon.
In stark contrast to the senior men's recent effort in Ireland, Canada was running hard, defending energetically and routinely running the ball straight at - and around - the enemy defence.
But Spanish experience and composure began to show, and the game appeared to be slipping away. The dangerous Sergio Garcia got his first good opportunity after a wafting cross eluded four Canadian defenders. Alim Karim, however, saved well in the Canada goal.
By 20 minutes, the Spaniards were pressing a clear territorial advantage. Atiba Hutchinson was playing good, composed defence for Canada. Beside him, Winston Marshall coughed up a bad giveaway, but made a fine, calculated slide tackle to break up the Spanish reply.
Then 27 minutes in, Spain was firmly in control of the midfield. Long searching balls were finding Garcia, and the Canadian defence was struggling to keep up. At the other end, Simpson and his superb strike mate, Iain Hume of England's Tranmere Rovers, had effectively been removed from the game because no balls were finding their way through to them.
Ten minutes before the break, a good ball down the middle sprung Iniesta, who ran unchallenged into the Canadian area and slotted his shot neatly under Karim, 1-0 Spain, and the disquieting possibility of many, many more to come. Canada tried to regain the midfield, but Gavilan hit the post for Spain on the counter break after a Hutchinson almost cashed in a long, low, looping free kick from Hume.
Just before the half, Canadian coach Dale Mitchell shuffled the deck, bringing on an extra attacker in the person of A-League standout Chris Lemire. Canada finished the half on the attack, but couldn't equalize.
A cunning trap was set for the Spaniards as the second half began. Simpson was hauled back to help out in the midfield, and Canada began to play almost everyone behind the ball.
"Very little going forward for Canada," British TV commentator John Helm was moved to mention. "This might turn out to be a damage-control exercise for them."
At 52 minutes, I scribble a note to myself: "Canada apparently looking to give up no more goals, catch Spain on the counterbreak." At 53 minutes, the trap is sprung. A long Canadian through ball caroms off a defender, straight into the path of a surging Hume. The rampant striker, mohawked hair streaked in bands of red and white, rockets a shot low and left, past diving Spanish netkeep Riesgo.
Game 1-1, and all pretense of a Canadian defensive shell evaporates. Just two minutes later, Hume rockets a 30-yard free kick off the Spanish goal post. Ten minutes after that, Canada's chances get a huge boost when Spain and Tenerife defender Vitolo is red-carded for his second bookable offence, a largely unnecessary shoulder dropped into the ribs of Canada's Sita-Taty Matondo.
So now who's in the driver's seat? Canada is all over the ball now, and yet it is Spain that continues to get the lion's share of good chances. Spain's supply of through balls from the midfield has been cut off, but the gritty Iberians - Europe's last remaining representatives in the tournament - continue to find ways to harry and stretch the Canadian defence.
Canada's best chance comes when Matondo runs past three defenders. In the end, his high, wide shot seemed wasted, particularly with Lemire open in space. Coach Mitchell clearly disagreed, though, and could be heard shouting a hearty "That's what we want!" from the sidelines.
And so we went to extra time, with Canada dead even on the scoreboard and a man up on the field.
Spain carried the play. They were poised, alert and took their time. Canada's defenders marked them closely, but all the important decisions were being made on the other side of the ball. And then, just like that, disaster. A crafty diagonal ball finds Arizmendi at the top corner of the Canadian box. Hutchinson lunged too late to stop it. Fellow defender Richard Assante tried to answer, but moved the wrong way. Arizmendi buried the ball, and the deepest run Canada has ever enjoyed in a men's World Cup at any level came to a sudden, dramatic and terribly final end.
But what a revelation!
Iain Hume, no question, is the goods. With a performance like this on the world stage, I think it's safe to assume his Tranmere Rover days will soon be done. Look for a top club to make a quick move to swoop this fleet and fearless prodigy away. Full marks, also, to Josh Simpson, who played his heart out in a game where good opportunities were few and far between.
And despite the sudden, sloppy way this story ended, there was a lot to like in the Canadian defence, as well. Andres Arango particularly impressed with good anticipation and a tasty selection of well-crafted tackles.
What I really loved, though, was the overall effort. This was a very intelligently played game. Canada showed little fear of their high-ranked opponents. Though Spain, in general, carried the game, our lads forced their chances hard, and showed inspiring overall heart and effort. And the trap coach Mitchell set for the Spaniards early in the second half was beautiful. What faith he must have in these lads. And - again - what a talent Iain Hume is.
Like the Under-19 women before them, quite a few of these youngsters will be significant players in Canada's upcoming qualifying drive for the 2006 World Cup. They must be carefully integrated with the veterans, so they can learn to be as comfortable on that great stage as they were against Spain this morning.
Canada, as an unfashionable outsider on the world footballing scene, must always play with heart, and must learn to take the game to stronger, deeper opponents. Our young men did that magnificently against Spain, and can count themselves unlucky not to win.
But the scoreline is the only defeat. In every other way that matters, this was a brilliant day for Canadian soccer.
Despite a heart-wrenching extra-time loss to Spain, the future of Canadian soccer is looking good.
One missed lunge. One wrong turn. One gallant young Spaniard who kept his head and stayed on his feet under pressure. One ball buried in the Canadian net in extra time, and just like that the shining prospect of a sensational quarterfinal upset at the men's Under-20 World Cup was gone.
Spain 2, Canada 1.
On the one hand, drat, drat, drat! On the other, what a wonderful performance by our brave and brilliant young lads!
Canada started strong, and for 15 minutes, the game was dead even. Josh Simpson, whose booming volley from way outside defeated Burkino Faso in the round of 16, hauled the ball deep on a good, surging run into the Spanish penalty area in the game's opening minute. Moments later, he was in again, gifted by a bad giveaway by Spanish defender Bouzon.
In stark contrast to the senior men's recent effort in Ireland, Canada was running hard, defending energetically and routinely running the ball straight at - and around - the enemy defence.
But Spanish experience and composure began to show, and the game appeared to be slipping away. The dangerous Sergio Garcia got his first good opportunity after a wafting cross eluded four Canadian defenders. Alim Karim, however, saved well in the Canada goal.
By 20 minutes, the Spaniards were pressing a clear territorial advantage. Atiba Hutchinson was playing good, composed defence for Canada. Beside him, Winston Marshall coughed up a bad giveaway, but made a fine, calculated slide tackle to break up the Spanish reply.
Then 27 minutes in, Spain was firmly in control of the midfield. Long searching balls were finding Garcia, and the Canadian defence was struggling to keep up. At the other end, Simpson and his superb strike mate, Iain Hume of England's Tranmere Rovers, had effectively been removed from the game because no balls were finding their way through to them.
Ten minutes before the break, a good ball down the middle sprung Iniesta, who ran unchallenged into the Canadian area and slotted his shot neatly under Karim, 1-0 Spain, and the disquieting possibility of many, many more to come. Canada tried to regain the midfield, but Gavilan hit the post for Spain on the counter break after a Hutchinson almost cashed in a long, low, looping free kick from Hume.
Just before the half, Canadian coach Dale Mitchell shuffled the deck, bringing on an extra attacker in the person of A-League standout Chris Lemire. Canada finished the half on the attack, but couldn't equalize.
A cunning trap was set for the Spaniards as the second half began. Simpson was hauled back to help out in the midfield, and Canada began to play almost everyone behind the ball.
"Very little going forward for Canada," British TV commentator John Helm was moved to mention. "This might turn out to be a damage-control exercise for them."
At 52 minutes, I scribble a note to myself: "Canada apparently looking to give up no more goals, catch Spain on the counterbreak." At 53 minutes, the trap is sprung. A long Canadian through ball caroms off a defender, straight into the path of a surging Hume. The rampant striker, mohawked hair streaked in bands of red and white, rockets a shot low and left, past diving Spanish netkeep Riesgo.
Game 1-1, and all pretense of a Canadian defensive shell evaporates. Just two minutes later, Hume rockets a 30-yard free kick off the Spanish goal post. Ten minutes after that, Canada's chances get a huge boost when Spain and Tenerife defender Vitolo is red-carded for his second bookable offence, a largely unnecessary shoulder dropped into the ribs of Canada's Sita-Taty Matondo.
So now who's in the driver's seat? Canada is all over the ball now, and yet it is Spain that continues to get the lion's share of good chances. Spain's supply of through balls from the midfield has been cut off, but the gritty Iberians - Europe's last remaining representatives in the tournament - continue to find ways to harry and stretch the Canadian defence.
Canada's best chance comes when Matondo runs past three defenders. In the end, his high, wide shot seemed wasted, particularly with Lemire open in space. Coach Mitchell clearly disagreed, though, and could be heard shouting a hearty "That's what we want!" from the sidelines.
And so we went to extra time, with Canada dead even on the scoreboard and a man up on the field.
Spain carried the play. They were poised, alert and took their time. Canada's defenders marked them closely, but all the important decisions were being made on the other side of the ball. And then, just like that, disaster. A crafty diagonal ball finds Arizmendi at the top corner of the Canadian box. Hutchinson lunged too late to stop it. Fellow defender Richard Assante tried to answer, but moved the wrong way. Arizmendi buried the ball, and the deepest run Canada has ever enjoyed in a men's World Cup at any level came to a sudden, dramatic and terribly final end.
But what a revelation!
Iain Hume, no question, is the goods. With a performance like this on the world stage, I think it's safe to assume his Tranmere Rover days will soon be done. Look for a top club to make a quick move to swoop this fleet and fearless prodigy away. Full marks, also, to Josh Simpson, who played his heart out in a game where good opportunities were few and far between.
And despite the sudden, sloppy way this story ended, there was a lot to like in the Canadian defence, as well. Andres Arango particularly impressed with good anticipation and a tasty selection of well-crafted tackles.
What I really loved, though, was the overall effort. This was a very intelligently played game. Canada showed little fear of their high-ranked opponents. Though Spain, in general, carried the game, our lads forced their chances hard, and showed inspiring overall heart and effort. And the trap coach Mitchell set for the Spaniards early in the second half was beautiful. What faith he must have in these lads. And - again - what a talent Iain Hume is.
Like the Under-19 women before them, quite a few of these youngsters will be significant players in Canada's upcoming qualifying drive for the 2006 World Cup. They must be carefully integrated with the veterans, so they can learn to be as comfortable on that great stage as they were against Spain this morning.
Canada, as an unfashionable outsider on the world footballing scene, must always play with heart, and must learn to take the game to stronger, deeper opponents. Our young men did that magnificently against Spain, and can count themselves unlucky not to win.
But the scoreline is the only defeat. In every other way that matters, this was a brilliant day for Canadian soccer.