Cyle Larin and Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the second half and Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 to book a place in the Copa America on Saturday in a CONCACAF Nations League match .
This will be Canada’s first participation in the South American championship.
“We are very happy with our match and the qualification,” declared Canada’s interim head coach, Mauro Biello, from the outset.
“We knew it was going to be a very difficult match. When you play matches like that against a team that is very physical and takes up space – I am very happy with the performance of my players and how they behaved during the match. »
Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 96e in the world, defended itself well against the numerous offensive waves of the Canadians, 50are.
The Maple Leaf representatives had possession of the ball 63% of the time and obtained 11 corner kicks compared to only one for their opponents during the first 45 minutes of play without being able to get on the board.
Biello was therefore satisfied with the effort, but asked his players to make small adjustments for the rest of the match which ultimately bore fruit.
“When there are three attackers, they will close the spaces,” argued the former Montreal Impact driver. There wasn’t much space to work. But still, we put pressure on and we had opportunities to score at the end of the first half.
“We had to be a little more aggressive on crosses. In the second half, they came out well and we were able to score. »
Canada actually broke the tie at 61e minute when Tajon Buchanan cut towards the inside of the penalty area. He passed the ball to Larin, who beat goalkeeper Denzil Smith for his 29e goal on the international stage.
The job was done for Canada, even if it took time to get there. Trinidad and Tobago tried to tie the game, but Quebec goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau blocked an attempt by the dangerous Levi Garcia in the 85the minute.
Called on in relief during the match, Shaffelburg then hit the crossbar in the 86the minute, then he doubled his team’s lead five minutes later. It was his second goal with Canada.
CF Montreal’s Quebec midfielders Mathieu Choinière and Samuel Piette entered the match in the second half.
Canada will therefore be one of six CONCACAF nations invited to the Copa America. He will be in Group A with Argentina (1time), Peru (33e) and Chile (42e). He will begin the tournament against Argentina, the reigning world champion, on June 20 in Atlanta.
The Argentines won 5-0 in the only match between the two countries so far. It was May 2010, in Buenos Aires.