Skill and cunning proved to be a deadly combination for Canada on Friday night.
Dwayne De Rosario scored a historic goal (and the most important of
his national team career thus far) to guide Canada to a thrilling 1-0
win over Panama in a crucial World Cup qualifier before 17,586 fans at
BMO Field.
After Simeon Jackson drew a foul on the edge of the box, Atiba
Hutchinson didn't wait for Panama's defence to set up, and delivered a
quick free kick into the middle for an unmarked De Rosario to knock home
past shell-shocked goalkeeper Jamie Penedo in the 77th minute.
With the goal, De Rosario moved past Dale Mitchell as Canada's
all-time leading scorer with 20 goals in 70 appearances. More
importantly, Canada put itself in a very good position to advance to the
final round of World Cup qualifying
Canada tops Group C with seven points from three games. Panama is
second (six points), followed by Honduras (four) and pointless Cuba. The
Canadians play Panama away next Tuesday, before closing out the group
stage with matches in October against Cuba (at home) and Honduras (on
the road).
Only the top two nations move on to "The Hex," the final round of the
CONCACAF qualifiers where the best three countries in the six-team,
round-robin group qualify for the World Cup. Canada has not advanced to
"the Hex" since 1998, and even then it finished dead last.
One can't overstate the significance of this Canadian victory over a
dangerous and technically proficient Panama, regarded as a rising power
in CONCACAF. With the three points, Canada is in firm control of its
destiny as it inches closer to "The Hex." It's far too early to talk
about ending the World Cup drought (Canada's only previous World Cup
appearance came in 1986) but this result gives the Reds a major boost,
and if capitalized on, could be a turning point for the national team.
Canadian coach Stephen downplayed the win somewhat, stating that
there's still plenty of work to do, although he did admit the win gives
Canada the "confidence that (it) can play with anybody in CONCACAF."
"I think we can only gain confidence from this. Let's not fool
ourselves -- Panama is a very good team. Extremely organized,
technically they play the ball well, they have (some players) who can
change the game at any moment," Hart stated.
Captain Kevin McKenna also sounded cautious, warning that Canada
can't become complacent or dwell on the fact that it is the surprise
group leader ahead of next week's game in Panama.
"Nothing changes. We go there and we play the same way tonight," McKenna stated.
Scoring has historically been Canada's biggest problem and guile has
been lacking, but not on this night. Maybe the Canadian side has finally
learned that hard work only goes so far, and you need to be clever and
crafty to grind out results in the cut-throat world of international
soccer.
Full credit goes to Hutchinson for the heads up play that lead to the goal.
"I saw a perfect opportunity where there was nobody in front of the
ball. They turned their backs and I really didn't think twice about. I
just put the ball in. I saw Dwayne and he took care of the rest,"
Hutchinson said.
Hart didn't realize the historical significance of De Rosario's goal. Nor did he really care.
"You know what, I didn't even know that. ... I think it's good for
him that he broke the record, but as a coach, I don't care who scores,"
Hart admitted.
Another positive is that Canada continues to expertly defend,
recording its fifth consecutive shutout and tenth in its last 11
contests. And the Reds did look very comfortable in possession,
confidently stoking the ball around and pulling off some intricate
passing sequences.
Hart gave credit to the entire starting 11, and not just the defence, for registering yet another clean sheet.
"It's not just the defence. It's good work by the midfield. The (back
four) got battered around. ... But we held out nerve, defended with
some intelligence and we got the result on the back of good defending,"
the Canadian coach explained.
Hart certainly can't be accused of conservative tactics -- he fielded
an attacking 4-3-3 formation, spearheaded by Olivier Occean up front
with De Rosario and Jackson in support.
The opening half saw Canada carry the balance of play on the
offensive end, using an effective pressing game that made it hard for
Panama to work its way out of its end.
While Julian de Guzman provided the defensive foundation in midfield,
Hutchinson pulled the creative strings, effectively linking up with
Jackson.
But for all of Canada's bright play, it didn't come close to scoring,
except when McKenna's bullet header off a corner kick slammed across
the post in the 36th minute.
Tensions nearly boiled over late in the half, which saw the Costa
Rican referee brandish several yellow cards. Panama's Alberto Quintero
threw himself to the ground after the slightest touch from De Rosario,
and players had to be separated before Quintero was comically
stretchered off the pitch.
Panama came out strong to start the second half, but it was Canada
who came closest to scoring, De Rosario forcing Penedo to parry away a
powerful strike from distance.
Canada began to fade as the second half progressed, and Panama looked
quite happy to play for the draw. But they became too comfortable, and
Hutchinson took full advantage, quickly taking the spot kick and picking
out De Rosario, who effortlessly slotted the ball home into an empty
net.
"I'm just very grateful to be in this position, and most importantly
to do it front of the home fans," De Rosario said of his record-breaking
goal.
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