Canada went into the second leg of the third round of World Cup Qualifying with a comfortable 3-0 lead over Belize. However, as many who follow Canada in CONCACAF are well aware, anything can happen on the road in Central America and that was certainly the case Tuesday in Belmopan. Benito Floro only made one change to his line up and that was giving Milan Borjan the start between the posts and aside from that it was the same line up as seen Friday night at BMO Field.
From the Black Hole Episode 56: Men's National Team Reaction
The Opening 45
One of the biggest talking points of this match wasn't the actual play on the pitch, but the play-by-play up in the booth. Within an hour to kick off it was advised that there was no channel covering the match in Canada and the only hope at seeing it was through the local Channel 5 Belize. Canadian supporters were treated with a brand of commentary unheard of since Massih Wassey took the pitch in Jamaica back in 2010.
With non-stop zingers from the play-by-play describing the match Canada started off much like we've seen recently with a patient approach working the ball towards the flanks and trying to isolate either Issey Nakajima-Farran or Tosaint Ricketts. Early on Canada was not having much success and it was either wayward shots from distance or harmless shots from tight angles.
It was expected that at home, Belize would try to be more aggressive, and at the behest of the "Maestro", the Jaguars began to grow in confidence and push further into Canada's end. The breakthrough came around the 30th minute when Canada clearly were asleep at the switch and a pass out from Milan Borjan was taken by a defender and quickly turned over. The Belize attacker slotted a pass off to the right onto a streaking Deon McCauley who stroked it short side off the post and into the next. 1-0 Belize.
Canada woke up and tried to turn the tide, however, they were struggling to string together a cohesive build up or get legitimate chances on goal. Tosaint Ricketts did link up on a pass from Cyle Larin, however, Ricketts fired right on target and it was easily stopped. Belize still showed confidence as around the 40th minute McCauley picked up a loose ball outside the 18 yard box and shot it to Borjan's right side, who made a good diving save.
It looked like the first half whistle would be blown with Canada down, however, after a throw in near the end of the first forty-five, the ball came into Cyle Larin who fought off several defenders. In the midst, a loose ball came out to the top of the 18 that Will Johnson pounced on and smartly struck to the far left corner to level the score 1-1. A huge sigh of relief for Canada and their supporters to regain the 3 goal aggregate lead and need to get through just 45 minutes to advance.
The Second Half
Canada came out with some more intention, however, it was Belize who within minutes missed a golden opportunity to regain the lead. Out wide, Daniel Jiminez knocked in a great cross that bypassed everyone, Milan Borjan included, but the Belize striker could not head it onto target, just missing the far post.
Around the 55th minute Tesho Akindele came in for Issey Nakajima-Farran and not long after Will Johnson picked up a nice pass wide right in the Belize 18 yard box. Johnson cut back onto his left foot and curled the shot wide far post.
Canada would hold on to the draw, largely in part to some key saves from Milan Borjan. Around the 70th minute, Nick Ledgerwood would knock back a poor pass to Borjan that came up short, allowing Deon McCaulay to get in 1v1. Borjan came out to challenge the play and got a piece of the ball and in the scramble was then able to pick up the loose ball.
One key moment of the second half was the substitution that brought in Sam Adekugbe for Ledgerwood. Adekugbe, who has trained with Liverpool and was born in England, is now cap-tied to Canada.
Into added time, Canada looked to have the match in cruise control, that is until Belize had one more great chance on goal. With seconds left, Jiminez crossed in yet another well placed ball and in the ensuing madness, McCaulay got a head onto the ball within the 6 yard box and it was going into the net were it not for an outstretched hand from Milan Borjan tipping it away. Canada closed out the match 1-1 and advance to the fourth round of World Cup Qualifying on a 4-1 aggregate score.
While this match produced some of the best live-tweeting in the history of Canada soccer, and in the near future likely numerous legendary memes, one would hope that the takeaway would have been something more connected to the actual play on the pitch. Simply put, Canada were out of sorts at many points during this match. Considering this was against Belize, ranked 128, in front of less than 5,000 fans, it brings serious concerns as to how this team will compete against El Salvador, Honduras and especially Mexico on the road. Benito Floro and his staff will have an intensive two months to prepare for Honduras and El Salvador, and will need to make huge leaps in progress to have any real hope of getting out of those two matches with positive results.
Man of the Match
Milan Borjan
After a tough domestic season that saw him have limited time playing in Bulgaria, Borjan showed flashes of his performance against Jamaica last September. One has to wonder how much more the keeper would improve if he could sort out his club situation and be in a healthy environment where he is playing week in week out. On this night, Borjan had little to do initially and after McCaulay's opening goal kept his head up and in the second half especially made two huge saves to prevent Belize from embarrassing Canada any further.
Canada Line-up
18 Milan Borjan
2 Nik Ledgerwood
4 Adam Straith
5 David Edgar
17 Marcel de Jong
13 Atiba Hutchinson
8 Will Johnson
14 Samuel Piette
9 Tosaint Ricketts
11 Issey Nakajima-Farran
21 Cyle Larin
Substitutions: Tesho Akindele for Issey (55'); Ouimette for De Jong (74'); Adekugbe for Ledgerwood (82')
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