|
|
Canada 0 – 1 Slovenia
Canada manages to keep the scoreline respectable, but their performance will likely be overshadowed by a streak of thirteen games in 2013 without a win, and only one goal through that stretch.
Canada arrived in Celje, Slovenia surprisingly confident despite having lost to the Czech Repbulic 2-0 on Friday. Much has been made of the National Team's current run of form, and most glaring throughout 2013 is that only one goal has been scored, by Marcus Haber against Japan back in March. Against the Czechs, Canada was surprisingly able to create some decent opportunities on goal, while at the other end, Lars Hirschfeld was on point and a big reason why the scoreline was kept in check. Slovenia are ranked 30th by FIFA, while Canada now sits 111, a massive disparity and cause for concern that if the Central European nation was on point, this game could get out of hand.
The Opening 45
Benito Floro's opening formation was described as a 4-3-3, however it appeared closer to a 4-2-3-1 with Kyle Porter getting the start up top, then Tosaint Ricketts, Dwayne De Rosario and Stefan Cebara offering support behind him. Once again Adam Straith and Pedro Pacheco were in the midfield, while the backline remained unchanged as Nik Ledgerwood, Doneil Henry, Andre Hainault and Marcel De Jong rounded out the outfield players. Kenny Stamatopoulos got the nod between the posts as he looked to continue his form after an impressive season at AIK in Sweden that saw his club finish second and qualify for the Europa League.
Off the start, the one area of concern that was being monitored was would Canada once again concede an early goal off poor set piece defending, as seen against both Australia and the Czech Republic? That test was passed in the 7th minute as a Slovenia free kick was swung in and cleared well. The ensuing clearance lead to an encouraging counter from Canada that saw Dwayne De Rosario pick out Kyle Porter between the central defenders at the top of the 18 yard box, however, Porter did not get much on his shot and it was easily saved by keeper Jan Oblak.
It was not long after that the Canada's best chance of the game occurred as Tosaint Ricketts took the ball near the touchline at the edge of the area, slotted it in to Kyle Porter who then found De Rosario at the top of the 18 yard box. De Rosario curled in a perfect shot top corner that was parried away by Oblak and out of touch.
Canada was able to offer stiff defending early in the first half as Nik Ledgerwood was especially busy running down loose balls and offering his usual gritty display. As the opening forty-five settled in, what was becoming apparent was Slovenia certainly had more technique and better instincts when in possession. In the 22nd minute their best chance of the half took place when striker Roman Bezjak made a nice diagonal run towards Canada's 18 yard box and was lead by a perfectly weighted through ball. Bezjak closed in on it and while sliding in towards the ball, with his left foot, curled it over Stamatoupolos who was off his line - only to be undone by the crossbar, saving Canada and keeping the score at 0-0.
The Second Half
Both Canada and Slovenia had their chances in the first half, however, Slovenia certainly must have been the more aggrieved side having a higher quality side and outranking Canada by 81 FIFA positions. Canada will have felt they defended well, but aside from the De Rosario shot, had trouble putting anything meaningful on target. Benito Floro took out Tosaint Ricketts, Kyle Porter and Stefan Cebara. In came Ashtone Morgan, Issey Nakajima-Farran and Nana Attakora.
It did not take long for Canada's fortunes to change as in the 52nd minute AC Milan midfielder Valter Birsa took a pass centrally in Canada's end, and with Adam Straith closing him down managed to shake him off to get a left footed shot into the back of the net. Stamatopoulos was unable to react in time and a shot that was not that far out of reach went past his left side into goal.
Down 1-0 Canada still managed to stay in the game, and in the 72nd minute Stamatopoulos made amends for his earlier effort as a Slovenia free kick was well placed through the wall that the Canadian keeper was able to make an outstretched save and push it wide left.
Benito Floro would make another series of substitutions as Jonathan Osorio and Kyle Bekker came on for Nik Ledgerwood and Marcel De Jong. Both players might not have been able to create anything dangerous, however, neither looked out of place against a superior side, nor did they show any fear in their attempts on goal or calling for the ball around the 18 yard box.
The second half would run out with Canada desperately pushing for a much needed goal, but time and time again the technique was not there to either put in a worthwhile cross or even work the ball through the midfield without turning it over. In the end, a 1-0 defeat against a very good Slovenia side is respectable, but there are still many questions lingering about where this team is going and what it will take to break what is now a fourteen game winless streak.
The Final Word: Canada improving but still a long way off
It is difficult to keep these last few friendlies in perspective. Hanging over the start to Benito Floro's time as Canada's head coach is a dismal run of form and no reliable options in the attack to remedy a woeful offence. His first five games have not many chances to see the likes of Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson and David Edgar, arguably the best players missing from this international break, and two who can knock in a goal here and there.
If there is anything to take from these last two games it is that thankfully 2013 is now over. While it was one of the busiest calendar year's in recent memory for Canada, result-wise it was one of the worst. Floro has inherited a massive project, one that will require real vision and expert execution to turn this team into a legitimate competitor in CONCACAF.
There is some time before Canada will be playing a meaningful competitive match, but in the interim there will be more opportunities to play top shelf opponents as thirty-two nations prepare for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Benito Floro has had some time to gather his intel on many players, and moving forward establishing real measurements for progress through this period and into 2015 will be paramount to ensure the last year has not been a meaningless exercise.
These two losses to the Czech Republic and Slovenia showed Canada can offer stiff competition again two good European nations, and if one chooses to look at it in such a way, some signs of optimism as the scores certainly could have been much worse. It is obvious what the next steps need to be and what many will be looking at from Floro in 2014, and that will be developing an approach that can lead to more goals and putting out a side geared towards earning a result.
Canada Lineup:
Kenny Stamatopoulos
Nik Ledgerwood
Doneil Henry
Andre Hainault
Marcel de Jong
Adam Straith
Pedro Pacheco
Stefan Cebara
Dwayne De Rosario
Tosaint Ricketts
Kyle Porter
Substitutions: (46) Morgan for Ricketts, (46) Nakajima-Farran for Porter, (46) Attakora for Cebara, (69) Osorio for Ledgerwood, (69) Bekker for De Jong, (86) Ouimette for Straith.
|