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Posted by
Kamal Hylton,
September 10, 2014 |
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In a battle of two teams looking to turn the page towards a new direction and begin preparations for the 2018 World Cup Qualifying cycle, Canada hosted its CONCACAF foes Jamaica at the National Soccer Stadium in Toronto in front of 12,162 fans.
Coach Benito Floro has continued implementing his brand of soccer on the players, but this was the first time the home supporters would be able to witness it first hand.
For Jamaica, this was an important match ahead of meaningful games in November.
Jamaica are preparing 2015 Caribbean Cup, a tournament they’re not only hosting but is the qualification route for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Reggae Boyz were looking to redeem themselves, this after finishing last in its group in 2012 Caribbean Cup and thus failing to qualify for 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Canada named an experienced starting XI, the duo of Atiba Hutchinson and Patrice Bernier anchoring the midfield. This was particularly special night for Bernier, as he accomplished the meaningful milestone of his 50th cap for the national team.
Jamaica’s coach Winfred Schafer named some familiar MLS names, including Colorado Rapids forward Deshorn Brown, FC Dallas midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson, Portland Timbers fullback Alves Powell and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake
From the Black Hole Episode 33 - The Polarity Edition
Why polarity? Because it's about very opposite things. On the positive side you have Tuesday's Canadian Men's Soccer Team win vs Jamaica. On the negative side you have TFC. On a side note, the audio is not very good. There are rough sounding parts and a constant echo. Apologies for that but we were relying on hotel wifi to get the job done ... Sometimes that leads to poor results.
The Opening 45
Canada came out in a 4-3-3 formation looking to spread the Jamaican defence wide, apply pressure in the midfield through Bernier, Hutchinson and De Guzman and get the ball into space for Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Tosaint Ricketts.
The Reggae Boyz went with a 3-5-2, looking to counter the experienced midfield with more bodies and with an aim to get the ball to its duo up front of Brown and Jermain Anderson.
The two major chances in the early part of the half came from defensive mistakes.
A quick counter attack from the visitors and a cross into the box saw Canadian defender David Edgar nearly scoring an own goal, the ball smashing off the post and out of play. Jamaica had a scary moment for themselves, a ricochet ball going just wide of Blake’s far post.
On a break into the attacking third Canada committed a foul in a dangerous area and Jamaica capitalized, Andre Hainault taking down Brown a few yard from the box resulting in a beautifully taken free kick in the 30th min.
Kemar Lawrence striking a rocket past Milan Borjan’s right side and giving the Reggae Boyz a 1-0 lead.
However the lead was short lived, Canada responding in quick fashion through Edgar in the 31st min. The Birmingham City defender making up for his near own goal by putting a well struck ball past Blake’s near post and levelling the score at 1-1.
The rest of the half was played at a frenetic pace, Canada stretching the legs of Edwini-Bonsu and Ricketts while Jamaica looked to looked to get its fullbacks in Powell and Lawrence wide and continue getting shots on goal but to no avail.
The Second Half
Both teams came out inspired after the break, with Jamaica getting the first chance on net through substitute Jamar Loza in the 52nd minute. The Norwich City forward latching onto a cross, but his header went just over Milan Borjan’s crossbar.
The Serbia-born Canadian keeper came up big on a few occasion early in the half, managing to win another 1v1 duel with Lozon in the 59th minute by sprinting out of goal to smother his shot a preserve the 1-1 draw.
Andre Hainault
Borjan’s teammates would reward his hare work on the score sheet, Marcel de Jong scoring in the 68th minute through a carbon copy the goal Jamaica score in the first half firing a shot past Blake who was rooted to the spot.
Issey Nakajima Farran
The young Jamaican keeper would fall into trouble in the 72nd minute, as he spilled a shot from substitute Simeon Jackson giving Ricketts an easy tap in to make the score 3-1.
Adam Straith
From that point forward is was a track meet with chances coming at both ends, however the visitors just ran out gas and it was clear sailing for the red and white.
Man of the Match
Milan Borjan
Coming off his line with confidence, Borjan kept Canada in the game with solid shot stopping and communication on several Jamaica breakaways.
Honourable mention
Kyle Bekker. As a second half substitute, Bekker influenced the game playing as an attacking midfielder and helping Canada open up the game in a hectic second half.
Canada’s Starting XI (4-3-3)
GK - Milan Borjan
DEF - Doneil Henry
DEF - David Edgar
DEF - Andre Hainaut
DEF - Marcel de Jong
MID - Patrice Bernier
MID - Julian De Guzman
MID - Atiba Hutchinson
FWD - Randy Edwini-Bonsu
FWD - Tosaint Ricketts
FWD - Issey Nakajima-Faran
Substitution
45th min
In - Kyle Bekker
Out - Patrice Bernier
In - Dejan Jakovic
Out - Andre Hainault
55th min
In - Simeon Jackson
Out - Issey Nakajima-Faran
71st min
In - Adam Straith
Out - Julian De Guzman
86th min
In - Dwayne De Rosario
Out - Randy Edwini-Bonsu
89th min
In - Adam Sraith
Out - Marcel De Jong
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