It is the first weekend back from an impressive run of results from Canada’s U20 team as well as the senior side’s 0-0 draw with Panama in Panama City. While the youth side has given Canada supporters a huge boost of optimism, the emotions of a 2-2 draw with England, 2-1 win over Russia and 1-0 victory over the United States, were muted after an unconvincing performance in Panama despite leaving with things even in the scoreline. Benito Floro will have a decision to make of what this team will be moving forward as there is a significant gap between veterans on their last legs and youngsters perhaps not quite ready.
Unfortunately there is not much in between, unless a few non-committed players finally make the decision to don the red and white. While finding a starting eleven in their prime is not likely heading into the 2015 Gold Cup, Floro will have some decisions to make as young players continue to get meaningful minutes and make a claim to overtake long held positions in the roster.
In England
While we usually start with the top division represented, this weekend it will begin with another encouraging game from what could be Canada’s next emerging star. Michael Petrasso showed his value for Canada last week in scoring against England in a 2-2 draw on their opponent’s home soil. This weekend he returned to his on-loan club, Notts County, and showed again his finishing ability as he picked off a poor back pass, rounded the keeper and slotted home the opening goal. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as eventually Yeovil Town nicked back two to finish with a 2-1 result.
Petrasso’s rise continues to impress as he currently has three goals in five league games and has been a wanted commodity for the past two seasons. The loss this weekend is a bit of a blow to Notts as a win would have had them keeping pace with the top teams in League One – Bristol City, Swindon Town and Preston North End. Instead they sit sixth, in the final playoff promotion spot. With fifth placed Sheffield United next weekend, that will be a pivotal game in the short term to ensure Notts stay in the promotion picture.
Up a division, it was unfortunate that a rare win by Birmingham City did not feature David Edgar, as he watched his slowly improving side win 1-0 away to Rotherham United, who are two places below them in 22nd in the table. Birmingham have had a better run of results of late since their 8-0 humiliation to Bournemouth back on October 25. The concern, however, is that since that game, Edgar has yet to play for the Blues and one has to monitor whether he will feature next weekend against Nottingham Forest with the team currently do well with him watching from the bench.
In Turkey
As always, Canada’s only player in the picture for a title, Atiba Hutchinson, had another positive result to see his Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas remain in the fight for first with Fenerbahce. At home to Kasimpasa, a Demba Ba brace was what it took to see off the visitors 2-0 and temporarily put Besiktas top of the table. Fenerbahce are a point back with a game in hand and their Monday match away to Bursaspor will determine the table going into next weekend.
It is a tight affair top of the Super Lig table as all teams have slipped in the opening ten games to the season. Besiktas was looking strong until two losses in a row at the end of October. Perennial favourites Fenerbahce and Galatasary also have lost important games with Galatasary losing 3-0 at home this weekend to Trabzonspor. With Europa League and Cup commitments coming up, Besiktas are fortunate their next league game is against 16th placed Karabukspor next Monday.
Michael Petrasso punished a poor backpass, but his goal was not enough as Notts County were downed 2-1.
A rough night for Andre Hainault as he was part of a own goal start in a 4-0 route against Bochum.
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Milan Borjan – Ludogorets (BUL – D1):
Saturday, November 22, did not play in a 1-1 draw with CSKA Sofia.
Daniel Haber – Ayia Napa (CPR – D1):
Saturday, November 22, played 84 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Othellos.
David Edgar – Birmingham City (ENG - D2):
Saturday, November 22, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Rotherham United.
Simeon Jackson – Coventry City (ENG – D3):
Saturday, November 22, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Colchester United.
Michael Petrasso – Leyton Orient (ENG – D3):
Saturday, November 22, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-1 loss to Yeovil Town.
Marcus Haber – Crewe Alexandra (ENG – D3):
Saturday, November 22, subbed in at the 71st minute in a 4-1 loss to Leyton Orient.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Sunday, November 23, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart.
Andre Hainault – Aalen (GER – B2):
Friday, November 21, played 79 minutes in a 4-0 loss to Bochum.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Stuttgarter Kickers (GER – D3):
Saturday, November 22, subbed in at the 78th minute in a 1-1 draw with Rot-Weiss Erfurt.
Nik Ledgerwood – Energie Cottbus (GER – D3):
Saturday, November 22, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Hansa Rostock.
Daniel Stanese – Augsburg II (GER – D4):
Saturday, November 22, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Garching.
Iain Hume – Kerala Blasters (IND – D1):
Friday, November 21, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-1 victory over Atletico De Kolkata.
Tosaint Ricketts – Hapoel Haifa (ISR – D1):
Saturday, November 22, played 62 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hapoel Petah Tikva.
Tomer Chencinski – Ironi Ramat Gan (ISR – D2):
Next match, Monday November 24 vs. Ironi Kiryat Gat.
Dejan Jakovic – Shimizu S-Pulse (JPN – D1):
Saturday, November 22, played 90 minutes and was SENT OFF (two yellows) in a 2-2 draw with Nagoya Grampus.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Sunday, November 23, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Adademico Viseu.
Jordan Hamilton – Trofense (POR – D2):
Saturday, November 22, did not play in a 5-0 loss to Belenenses.
Luca Gasparotto – Airdieonians (SCO – D3):
Saturday, November 22, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Stranraer.
Dylan Carreiro – Arbroath FC (SCO – D4):
Saturday, November 22, subbed in at the 60th minute in a 4-0 victory over Clyde.
Samuel Piette – Deportivo La Coruna B (SPN – D4):
Saturday, November 22, a 1-0 victory over Laracha.
Atiba Hutchinson – Besiktas (TUR – D1):
Sunday, November 23, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Kasimpasa
Lucas Cavallini – Nacional (URU – D1):
Sunday, November 23, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Penarol.
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