Canada, a key figure in world soccer? Not so long ago, you couldn’t imagine saying these words one after the other. But we have to admit that after their 2-0 victory in Honduras in this final phase of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, we can venture a little.
Posted at 10:18 p.m.
Updated at 11:34 p.m.
Buoyed by the great technical qualities of Tajon Buchanan for the first Canadian goal, by the world-class brilliance of Jonathan David on the second, and by miraculous saves from Milan Borjan, the maple leaves San Pedro Sula with three crucial points in the octagonal.
The selection thus maintains its leading position in CONCACAF, ahead of the United States and Mexico, who also won on Thursday.
“Discipline was in order tonight,” commented Canada coach John Herdman after the match. You can’t come here and try to play like FC Barcelona, with this type of pitch and this environment. »
Herdman was referring to the usually hostile crowd at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.
PHOTO DELMER MARTINEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jonathan David celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning goal.
Because this victory is the first that Canada achieves in Honduras since… 1985. It seems that this team achieves historic milestones in each of its meetings, recently.
And for Atiba Hutchinson, dean of this selection with 90 games played, Thursday night’s victory takes on a special character.
“It’s the first time I’ve gotten a result here,” he told Soccer Canada with relief. And this is a special one. We’ve been waiting for it for a long time. »
We feel that Hutchinson still has in mind this stinging and humiliating defeat of 8-1, suffered on the same ground in 2012, also in qualifying for the World Cup.
“I spent several sleepless nights thinking about this place. To come here and get such an important victory, it shows how strong this team is. »
Canada scores, Alphonso Davies celebrates
The first goal of the match was the result of excellent work by Tajon Buchanan on the right in the 11and minute.
The Canadian right winger dribbles the ball at the edge of the box, even taking a few strides reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo. He thus skillfully thwarts the Honduran defender, who falls backwards, and crosses towards the front of the cage. Denil Maldonado, trying to clear, instead deflects the leather in the net.
Canadian gem Alphonso Davies, who is suffering from myocarditis potentially linked to COVID-19 infection, had to sit out during this international window. That did not prevent him from following and supporting his selection from his home in Canada.
Live on the Twitch platform, Davies watched the match alongside his father. He chatted with Internet users, nibbled, danced and commented on the actions.
And when Canada scored, he was celebrating.
Le sélectionneur John Herdman avait mentionné plus tôt cette semaine à quel point la grande vedette du Canada amenait « un esprit positif contagieux » au groupe, habituellement, et que ça manquerait à son équipe pour ces trois matchs. On le croit.
Après le premier but canadien, le rythme s’est détendu de part et d’autre.
Au retour de la pause toutefois, le Honduras a commencé à menacer plus souvent le filet adverse et dominait la possession du ballon. Le gardien canadien Milan Borjan a dû se démarquer à quelques reprises, dont sur une bonne tête d’Anthony Lozano à la 59e.
Son plus bel arrêt est survenu à la 70e. Un coup franc hondurien a été repris de la tête par Jervin Arriaga. Borjan l’a repoussé du bout de la main. Les Canadiens ont eu chaud. Alphonso Davies aussi. Le latéral canadien affirmait vers la fin de la rencontre que son gardien méritait le titre de joueur du match. On ne peut qu’être d’accord.
Parce qu’on sentait le Canada dans les cordes à ce moment, et n’eût été les parades de Borjan, l’histoire aurait été bien différente.
Mais voilà qu’à la 73e, Jonathan David convertit enfin une de ses chances. Et il le fait avec l’aplomb de l’élite du soccer international.
Une passe sublime du milieu défensif Liam Fraser, tout juste devant sa propre surface, est parfaitement contrôlée par David de l’autre côté du terrain. En se retournant, l’attaquant de Lille reçoit le ballon sur sa poitrine, le pousse vers l’avant de la tête, puis l’envoie en lob de l’extérieur de la surface. Alphonso Davies, sur Twitch, se réjouit encore.
« Il fait le sale travail, a analysé John Herdman à propos de son attaquant. C’est un joueur au top en Europe. Un joueur de sa trempe qui fait autant de sale boulot, dans un environnement comme celui-ci, ce n’est pas facile. »
Atiba Hutchinson renchérit.
« La passe de Liam Fraser est de classe mondiale, il l’a placé sur un plateau d’argent. Puis il y a le sang-froid de Jonathan pour effectuer son contrôle. C’est de calibre international. »
Ce n’était pas toujours joli, mais à 2-0, le Canada n’avait plus qu’à bien gérer sa fin de match.
PHOTO DELMER MARTINEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Atiba Hutchinson et Alfredo Mejia
« Ça n’allait pas être le genre de soirée où on allait avoir un match parfait », a estimé Herdman.
« Notre mentalité avant le match, c’était qu’on allait devoir se battre constamment. […] We were going to defend, attack, work hard. We can make a nice game another day. »
Three CF Montreal players took part in this meeting: Samuel Piette and Alistair Johnston were starters for Canada, Romell Quioto was for Honduras.
Piette defended an early climb from Quioto well, and got off to a good start. However, he had to give way to the 39andinjured after suffering a solid tackle.
But that’s the only downside to this evening in Honduras.
Because the wounds of 2012 can now be healed. We are in another era for soccer in Canada. A time when qualifying for the World Cup is no longer a distant dream, but practically a reality.
The team will fly to Hamilton on Friday, where they will face the United States on Sunday at Tim Hortons Field. His last game of this international window will be in El Salvador next Wednesday.