Lucas Cavallini helped Canada end its preparation for the World Cup on a high note Thursday in Dubai, scoring the game-winning goal during added time in the second half in a 2-1 win over Japan.
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The striker took advantage of a penalty shot to deceive goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda at the very end of the game. Richie Laryea drew the fault following a duel against Miki Yamane.
This victory also comes without two important elements of the formation. Indeed, Alphonso Davies was not present, since he had not yet joined the team, while midfielder Stephen Eustaquio was dismissed as a preventive measure.
“It was a real team performance,” said head coach John Herdman after the duel. We are missing key players and once again the other guys have taken over. Different players were able to show their quality in this match.
Bad start
The match had however started badly for the Canadians, because their opponents quickly opened the scoring. Beating the defense in the penalty area in the eighth minute, Yuki Soma slightly deflected a lobbed pass to find the back of the net.
The representatives of the maple leaf responded in the 21st minute. Steven Victoria also redirected the ball, this time after a corner kick. Encouraged by the bench, the team in red then maintained their efforts until the very end.
“I remember the coaches were pushing, telling us we wouldn’t be happy with a tie,” said Victoria. I think we deserved [la victoire] against a great team. We deserved it with what we did on the pitch.”
One game at a time
CF Montreal representatives Samuel Piette, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller were in the starting lineup, while Joel Waterman and Ismaël Koné were called up during the game.
The World Cup will begin on Sunday with a duel between Qatar and Ecuador. Canada make their debut on November 23 against Belgium, before clashing with Croatia four days later and Morocco on November 1.er december.
“We’re going to keep our feet on the ground and take it one game at a time,” Herdman said. This is our philosophy.”