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Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
November 13, 2015 |
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@HarJournalist
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VANCOUVER, B.C - Canada vs Honduras kicked off at BC Place with 20,108 supporters ready for an intense Group A World Cup qualifying match between two countries trying to earn a spot in 'The Hex.' Canada scored a first half goal literally off the back of Cyle Larin and held on for a 1-o win.
Canada now sit second in Group A with three points. Mexico beat El Salvador 3-0 and lead on goal differential. Canada will look to add to El Salvador's woes when the two teams meet on Tuesday night in San Salvador. For now Canada is happy to celebrate an important win against an arch rival.
Cyle Larin described his goal that was at first awarded to Will Johnson.
"Me and Junior got the ball, Junior played it back to me down the line. I ran into the box, he crossed it and I went up for the ball and it went pretty high. I guess I missed it, and it went to Will and hit off my back when I came down. A goal, is a goal, so I'll take it."
At the time of the play, the Orlando City striker didn't actually know that the ball had hit off his back before entering the Honduras net. The video score-board helped confirm to Larin that he scored.
"No, when I got up I never knew I hit it. When I saw on the screen that it hit off my back, I knew it was my goal."
Junior Hoilett was quite lively in his number 10 kit. He had pace, vision, and creativity that caused Honduras problems all night long. He was able to link up with Atiba Hutchinson, and Julian de Guzman and made it look like that trio had been playing together for years. In reality, this was Hoilett's 2nd cap. Following the match, Hoilett had a smile from ear to ear and was obviously delighted with the result.
"I came here on Sunday and I couldn't wait to play on the home soil and get a result for the nation to bring the nation forward. It's a great result for the team. The team played well and you see how we assembled ourselves."
The Opening 45
The early stages of the opening half were played at a cautious pace. Neither side wanted to get forward on a full-fledged open attack and leave the barn door open for a counter-attack. The match was contested in the midfield as expected. Jorge Luis Pinto had Honduras sitting back defensively waiting and hoping Canada would make a mistake at the back.
The crowd was fully behind Canada and it did not take long for boo's to ring around BC Place after some suspect CONCACAF officiating. Junior Hoilett had a burst of energy on the right flank and was connecting with skipper Atiba Hutchinson for long runs down the right. Honduras decided to man-mark Hoilett rather closely. The Queens Park Rangers man was issued a yellow card in the 18' by referee Kevin Morrison for foul on Boniek Garcia. Moments later Bryan Acosta was issued a yellow after a committed foul. The intensity started to pick-up after those early bookings, but nothing boiled over the top.
An outstanding scoring opportunity came on the break for Canada thanks to some dynamite passing from Hoilett, and Hutchinson that setup a wide open Julian de Guzman. Hoilett sprang Hutchinson and he delivered a lovely cross to de Guzman. The Canadian skipper fired a rocket on target that forced Honduran keeper Noel Valladares to push the ball over the bar in the 30', and out for a corner.
Canada was able to catch Honduras switched off for a moment and that's all it took to capitalize and open the scoring in the 38'. Junior Hoilett was again racing down the flank and he delivered a terrific cross to the back post. Will Johnson and Cyle Larin both went up for the ball. The Portland Timbers man headed the ball on target and then had the ball bounce in off of Larin's back and in.
Heading into the break, the score remained Canada 1-0 and the momentum never left Canada's side. The home-side also held a 56%-44% possession advantage and Honduras looked out of sorts.
The Second Half
Usually Will Johnson does not get a lot of love when he visits BC Place with the Portland Timbers in MLS matches. On this occasion, Will Johnson was in the running for man of the match honours. After Luis Garrido picked up a yellow card in the 62' minute Johnson stepped up to take a free kick from 35 yards out. The Toronto, Ontario native cleared the wall and hammered the ball off the inside of the post. Valladares was just able to get a slight finger tip to the ball.
Jorge Luis Pinto unloaded his bench and brought on his trio of substitutions in a quick 15' minute second half span. Canada was content to switch strikers as Cyle Larin made way for Marcus Haber in the 73' as the game started to open up more and Canada needed a fresh striker to stretch the pitch.
Canada and Honduras started to trade chances as the visitors took on a more up tempo approach. Substitute Mario Martinez tried to catch Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan sleeping with a shot from the left flank. Borjan was able to push the ball out over the ball for a corner. Honduras kept applying pressure, but it wasn't enough. Canada was feeding off the crowd and held on for a vital win.
All week-long players had been talking about BC Place, the cold weather, and how this match was going to be a must win match. Canada got it done and could be headed back to Vancouver in March when Mexico visits. Red Nation Online asked Coach Floro if he wanted to come back to the west coast next March.
"Yes. We went for support always for helping the team from the first moment, in each moment, and in the difficult moments. Yes, I think I'm sure we are going to play against Mexico here."
Man of the Match:
Will Johnson
Will Johnson made things happen on the pitch and was instrumental in the lone goal. He also came close to adding an insurance tally in the second half. Several Canadian players had a terrific match, it wasn't just one player that stood out. Junior Hoilett, Atiba Hutchinson, and Julian de Guzman all played great. A combined team effort is what really helped Canada upset Honduras and earn three points on the road to Russia.
Following the match Will Johnson was asked about the 8-1 loss to Honduras in 2012.
"I don't think we'll ever forget it, but I'm definitely past it. It doesn't bother me anymore. It is, just what it is. In this game you have ups and downs and the good thing is if you win 1-0 or 8-1, it's just a loss. For me the score in that game didn't matter as much as the opportunity to go to 'The Hex' and miss. It probably would have been more painful to go 0-0 in the 95th' minute and lose 1-0. I think we were all just bummed out by the opportunity that we missed and that's why we played so hard tonight."
Canada Starting XI: Milan Borjan; Marcel De Jong, Dejan Jakovic, Adam Straith, Karl Ouimette; Julian de Guzman(C) (Samuel Piette 77), Will Johnson, Atiba Hutchinson; Junior Hoilett (Tesho Akindele 81), Cyle Larin (Marcus Haber 73), Tosaint Ricketts. 4-3-3
Honduras Starting XI: Noel Valladarers(C); Maynor Figueroa, Johnny Palacios, Ever Alvarado, Brayan Beckeles; Carlos Discua (Angel Tejada 69), Bryan Acosta (Mario Martinez 65), Luis Garrido, Boniek Garcia; Erick Andino (Romell Quioto 56); Roman Castillo. 4-4-1-1
Notes: A moment of silence was held to remember the innocent lives taken in the Paris attack.
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