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Posted by
Mat Rooney,
July 14, 2017 |
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Twitter
@rooney_matthew
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In a nail biter of a game, Canada held on for a draw against arch-rival Honduras in Frisco, Texas to secure second place in Group A and reaching the knock-out round for the first time since 2009.
Starting strong, Canada seemed in control for the first 35 minutes with a big chance for Marcel de Jong (who was playing in an advanced role) and some impressive work from Scott Arfield, Lucas Cavallini and Patrice Bernier. But Honduras came back hard in the last 10 minutes of the half and most of the rest of the game.
Late in the first-half, Alberth Elis was able to get a shot passed Milan Borjan but Michael Petrasso was able to keep it out. In the second-half, the moment would seemingly repeat with Steven Vitoria replacing Petrasso.
While Canada seemed outplayed, strong performances from Vitoria, de Jong and Sam Adekugbe helped keep Honduras out of the net while sub Jonathan Osorio did a good job in his limited role, forcing Luis Lopez to make a big save. Teenage phenom Alphonso Davies was also subbed into the half but was unable to make the impact he had in his previous appearances.
A big late game save by Borjan would secure the draw and put Canada through to the next round.
The draw not only put arch rivals Honduras’ Gold Cup dreams, which have already been marred by a weak showing, on life support, it also sent the message that Octavio Zambrano’s Canada is to be taken seriously.
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