Canada have passed their first hurdle on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, following up a 2-0 win away from home in Dominica with a 4-0 victory at the National Soccer Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto, Ontario. Although the island nation were clear underdogs, the two-legged tie did give us all a look at how much head coach Benito Floro’s project has progressed to this point. Because Dominica is one of the smaller island nations, it didn’t provide the sturdiest of tests. However, tonight’s game showed some of Floro’s ideas and the likely team's approach going forward.
ACTIVE FORWARDS
The opposition didn’t pose much difficulty to break down, but the activity of Canada’s forward line was the main aspect of the game that was encouraging.
Cyle Larin, Tesho Akindele and Tosaint Ricketts each showed that there’s something budding between the trio, an ability to read the others' positioning and the propensity to play off movement is exciting for Canadian national team fans and something to keep an eye on as World Cup qualifying continues.
It’s well known that scoring is Canada’s Achilles heel, especially coming off a year without a goal, but seeing how these three worked together, as they were not timid to work the keeper and best of all each registering a goal, is a massive step forward. More than anything, this match against Dominica seemed like it was a good way to build up muscle memory - so making runs, taking up positions, executing passes and finishing chances all becomes second nature.
During this match, the trio of forwards didn’t make the match feel like a vacation for Dominican keeper Glenson Prince. Cyle Larin’s goal in the 41st minute was the best of the four, the second of the night and his second in his early International career, as he turned and fired from 25-yards in one fluid motion.
DAVID EDGAR’S PASSING
When it came to working the ball and setting up attacking plays, a key player for Canada was David Edgar in central defence.
The Birmingham City defender acted as a fulcrum of the side, playing good balls to the wide positions, keeping the ball to build up play and even going for goal from the halfway mark with an effort that tested Prince early in the match. Coach Floro’s system is still evolving, however, one of the main elements that has seemed like a night and day improvement from past years is the calmness central defenders have with the ball at their feet and freedom they have to get involved going forward.
Taking a cue from the Spanish style of play, it’s encouraging to see a player with Edgar’s natural ability as an athletic defender not be shy or reserved. As a leader at the back, and with his passing a big weapon in Canada’s bag of tricks, it will be interesting to see how Edgar is used as qualification continues.
WING PLAY
Not only did Akindele and Ricketts have standout games flanking Larin on the wings, but their communication with fullbacks Ashtone Morgan and Nik Ledgerwood was also solid. Understanding when the overlap was coming, Akindele and Ricketts throughout the game knew to either cut inside and allow them to supply the cross or make a run into the box and force the defence into making a decision.
Playing in a 4-1-4-1 formation that easily changed to a 4-3-3 during the match displayed just how important those relationships will need to become, particularly against tougher opposition where they will be quicker on counter attacks and look to catch Canada with through balls.
As far as first World Cup Qualifying matches go, getting a 6-0 aggregate victory, two goals away from home and goals from three forwards tonight is nothing to scoff at and it ultimately gives the squad a strong mindset going into the next round of matches.
|