Without question it was one of the more encouraging weekends for Canadians across the pond in 2013. A handful of goals, assists and important clean sheets fill the stats over the last few days as several national team members put in good personal showings. Add in to that, was significant playing time for key players that have resulted in there being more than one club side to follow over the next few months fighting for titles or European positions.
In England
It has been some time since there has been a big weekend in England for Canadians. With Simeon Jackson still getting limited minutes at Norwich City, this weekend seeing him as a late sub in a 0-0 draw with Fulham, we continue to look to the Championship and League One for inspiration. David Edgar has not had the same run in the starting eleven as he did in 2011/12, but has consistently been playing for Burnley and helped keep them near the top of the table. Against Bolton this weekend, Edgar scored a rare goal to put his team ahead, but they were unable to hold on as they were downed 2-1.
It was in League One where the biggest event happened over the weekend as Marcus Haber bagged a pair of goals through the week. On Tuesday he scored against Notts County in a 2-0 victory, and this weekend he followed that up with another goal against Carlisle United in a 2-1 loss. Stevanage at one point were in the promotion zone, but dropped several games in a row and now are trying to reestablish themselves in the table. With the two goals, Haber is now sitting on six for the season.
In Turkey
Buoyed by their Turkish Cup run, Sivasspor and MIlan Borjan continue their impressive form as they faced off against the team they will be facing in the semi-finals, in league play this weekend. Trabzonspor came to Sivas, where the support has swelled over recent weeks as their team has played better and better. Their run in the cup had not translated over to the league until recently. On Sunday they handled Trabzonspor at home 2-0, with Milan Borjan earning the clean sheet and putting Sivasspor in the top half of the table. Aside from table toppers Galatasaray, the league is wide open as two games could put Sivasspor in the top four, or in the bottom five. It will be a difficult run as their next four opponents are all ahead of them in the table.
In Netherlands
PSV have maintained their position atop the Eredivisie with a hard fought 2-2 draw away to Vitesse. Once again Wilfried Bony was in form as the Ivory Coast striker bagged two goals, but PSV held on for at least one point. It was an important result as the only team in the top six who won this weekend were Feyenoord, who are now a game behind PSV. With Utrecht coming to the Phillips Stadium next weekend, PSV should be able to keep atop the table for the time being.
Milan Borjan has luck on his side as a good stop is followed up by a shot off the post. Sivasspor would hold on for a 2-0 victory:
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Issey Nakajima-Farran – Alki (CPR – D1):
Sunday, February 10, subbed in at the 75th minute in a 2-1 loss to Apollon.
Mike Klukowski – APOEL (CPR – D1):
Next match, Monday February 11 v Ayia Napa..
Simeon Jackson – Norwich City (ENG - D1):
Sunday, February 10, subbed in at the 76th minute in a 0-0 draw with Fulham.
David Edgar – Burnley (ENG - D2):
Saturday, February 9, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers.
Iain Hume – Doncaster Rovers (ENG – D3):
Saturday, February 9, did not play in a 2-1 loss to Walsall FC.
Marcus Haber – Stevenage (ENG – D3):
Tuesday, February 5, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-0 victory over Notts County.
Saturday, February 9, played 68 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-1 loss to Carlisle United..
Haidar Al-Shaibani – Nimes (FRA - D2):
Friday, February 8, did not play in a 3-0 victory over Laval.
Olivier Occean – Eintracht Frankfurt (GER - D1):
Saturday, February 9, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Nurnberg.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Saturday, February 9, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Mainz 05.
Kevin McKenna – FC Koln (GER – B2):
Saturday, February 9, played all 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Energie Cottbus.
Rob Friend – 1860 Munich (GER – B2):
Monday, February 4, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Kaiserslautern.
Saturday, February 9, did not play in a 3-1 victory over MSV Duisburg.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Eintracht Braunschweiger (GER - D2):
Friday, February 8, subbed in at the 58th minute – subbed out at the 86th minute in a 1-1 draw with Aalen.
Julian De Guzman – Jahn Regensburg (GER – B2):
Sunday, February 10, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Bochum.
Adam Straith – Saarbrucken (GER - D3):
Saturday, February 9, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Wacker Burghausen.
Tomer Chencinski – Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR – D1):
Next match, Monday February 11 v Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Atiba Hutchinson – PSV Eindoven (NED - D1):
Saturday, February 9, played all 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Vitesse.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Sunday, February 10, played all 90 minutes ina 1-0 loss to Leixoes.
Andre Hainault – Ross County (SCO – D1):
Friday, February 8, did not play in a 2-0 victory over Dundee.
Stefan Cebara – NK Celje (SLV – D1):
Next match, March 1, 2013 v Gorica.
Milan Borjan – Sivasspor (TUR – D1):
Sunday, February 10, played all 90 minutes and kept a CLEAN SHEET in a 2-0 victory over Trabzonspor.
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