Three months after the June camp disaster was interrupted by a player boycott over the contract stalemate, one might expect Canada to come out a little rusty against Qatar on Friday.
Goals by Cyle Larin and Jonathan David in the first 13 minutes eliminated that as the Canadians clinched a 2-0 victory over the World Cup hosts in Vienna, Austria. Perhaps the only criticism is that Canada, ranked 43rd in the world, could have scored more goals against Qatar No. 48.
“We knew the first 20 minutes would be challenging, given how organized and disciplined Qatar is,” said Canada coach John Herdman. But I think our players, they had a challenge tonight.”
The Canadian will face an even tougher test on Tuesday when they face Uruguay No. 13 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
“It’s going to be a tough test,” Herdman said. “But this is something we dream of. We have faced CONCACAF opponents for four years. All players have dreamed of throughout their international careers. [of] playing tall teams Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina. This is the item we’ve been waiting for.
“For us it is a cup final playing against Uruguay, similar to playing against Belgium or Croatia [whom Canada will face in Group F at the World Cup]. So there’s fun there. But again we have to adapt to the reality of the quality they have and then we have to work in these next three days.”
WATCH | Larin opened the scoring for Canada:
Cyle Larin scored his 25th international goal, extending his Canadian men’s record, in Canada’s 2-0 win over Qatar in Vienna.
Canada’s last World Cup warm-up was November 17 against Japan No. 24 in Dubai.
Canada controlled most of Friday’s game, beating Qatar 13-8 (8-2 on shots on target) with 61 percent possession.
Canada wasted little time with Larin scoring in the fourth minute. The Club Brugge striker came back to head home Sam Adekugbe’s cross for the Canadian men’s record 25th goal in 53 appearances.
David doubled the lead in the 13th minute after diving Qatar keeper Saad Al Sheeb to punch in Kamal Miller’s cross, but only for the waiting Canadian pair. Alphonso Davies fell down, lost his footing, tried to snatch the ball but David was there to score his 22nd goal in 33 games in a Canadian shirt.
David, who is signed to Adidas, covered the Nike logo on the Canada shirt with his right hand as he celebrated the goal. There has been recent social media chat about Canada, unlike other teams, not launching a new jersey for the World Cup.
WATCH | David score, Nike logo cover:
Jonathan David scored his 22nd international goal in Canada’s 2-0 friendly win over Qatar, and then went on to cover the Nike logo on the Canada jersey with his right hand. There has been recent social media chat about Canada, unlike other teams, not launching a new soccer kit for the World Cup.
Herdman, perhaps diplomatically, said after the game that he was not paying attention to the celebrations.
Canada came close to scoring a third from a free-kick in the 88th minute but Ike Ugbo’s header was saved by the Qatari goalkeeper and Miller’s effort to let the ball bounce off the bar.
There was a worrying moment in the second half with Davies needing treatment after falling out with Ismail Mohammad in the 57th minute. The Bayern Munich star was able to walk away, albeit cautiously, as he made way for a substitute.
“I thought he was fine. He was sitting on the bench smiling. So I thought he was fine,” Herdman said.
WATCH | Davies limped off the pitch in the 60th minute:
Canada’s Alphonso Davies was eliminated in the 60th minute of Canada’s 2-0 win over Qatar in a friendly, after falling out with Ismail Mohammad, but he was able to come off the field.
David (Junior) Hoilett, earning his 48th cap, captains Canada in the absence of the injured Atiba Hutchinson.
Friday’s clash marked the Canadian men’s first match against an Asian opponent since November 2016 when they lost 2-0 to South Korea.
Controlled play from the start
Canada, which opens its November 23 World Cup match against Belgium No. 2, use the wings to attack Qatar’s dense defense.
Canada had 62 percent possession in the first half. Both sides made changes in the second half with Herdman sending on Richie Laryea, Charles-Andreas Bryn, Ismael Kone, Ugbo, Liam Millar and Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Qatar showed more goals in the second half but could not penetrate the Canadian defence, offering little attack.
Herdman has other injury concerns with Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan likely only to make the bench for the Uruguay game if healthy. Toronto FC defender Doneil Henry, who suffered a hamstring problem ahead of the game, was with the team but is not expected to feature. TFC team-mate Jonathan Osorio remains at home to deal with “neurological dysfunction” from an elbow to the head in a mid-July MLS clash.
Despite his injury, Herdman fielded a strong line-up with Miller, Steven Vitoria and Alistair Johnston in front of Milan goalkeeper Borjan with Adekugbe and Hoilett at full-back and Samuel Piette and Stephen Eustaquio in midfield with Davies, David and Larin leading the charge.
Piette was influential in midfield, often joining Eustaquio in quelling Qatar attacks.
The Canadian goes into the game with a combined 428 caps, led by Borjan (65) and Piette (62).
WATCH | Chris Jones outlines the state of the Canadian men’s team:
Chris Jones of CBC Sports outlines the biggest storyline leading up to CanMNT’s upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Uruguay.
