from Canadian Soccer Association
Men's Junior (U-17) Development Team
Friday, April 15, 2005
Canada Settles For 2-2 Draw With Scotland
In its second international match, Canada’s U16 National Team (1989), despite dominating much of the game, battled back from two goals down to share the spoils with an organized Scotland side on Thursday at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario. Against the run of play, Scotland raced out to an early two goal lead but Canada’s dominance finally paid dividends in the second half. Marcus Haber (Vancouver, BC) grabbed a goal back in the 75th minute with a deft header then equalized minutes later when he reacted quickest to a rebound inside the Scottish area.
Canada out chanced the Scots in the opening half but it was Scotland that left for the interval with a two goal lead.
In the 10th minute, Scotland broke quickly down the left and swung a hopeful ball into the area. An inadvertent flick off the head of a Canadian defender helped the ball toward the back post where an unmarked Scottish attacker volleyed in easily for the opener.
Canada, who was determined to undo the mishap, pressed forward but was unable to beat the Scottish keeper despite numerous chances. Sean Rosa (Montreal, QC) perhaps had the best of Canada’s numerous opportunities to equalize when he sliced across the top of the area then toe-poked a shot that sailed just wide of the upper left corner.
Despite the superiority in possession, Canada quickly found themselves two goals down when they failed to clear a corner and was duly punished. The ball fell fortuitously to Shaun Kane who easily nodded home from 7 yards out and suddenly the Canucks seemed out of the contest.
But the second half saw a rejuvenated Canada, however, despite the energy, second half substitute Adam Street (Brampton, ON) was called upon to keep the game within reach. Street, who had been added to the roster to replace an injured Marc-Andre Laplante, sailed across the face of the goal to palm away a rocket that seemed destined for the upper left corner.
The save seemed to spark the Young Canadians and suddenly, playing like a team that knew it deserved better, the young Canadian side pressed forward and was rewarded in the 75th minute for their industry.
Derek Gaudet (Bayside, NS) swung a freekick into the Scottish area for Haber. Haber out jumped everyone and deftly flicked the ball into the far post for Canada’s first. Minutes later the BC-native equalized.
Again, Gaudet was integrally involved when his shot from the top of the box was mishandled by the Scottish keeper. Haber pounced first and easily tapped in for his second of the night but more importantly had grabbed the elusive equalizer.
Both teams shared half-chances to grab the lead but in the end had to settle for a draw.
Canada will play Scotland again on April 16 at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan at 3:00 p.m. to wrap up the training camp.
Thursday, April 14, 2005 - International Friendly
The Soccer Centre - Vaughan, Ontario
CANADA – 2 (0)
SCOTLAND – 2 (2)
Goals: CAN – Haber (75, 79); SCOTLAND – Anton (10), Kane (31)
Cautions: none
Expulsions - none
CANADA: 1 – GILL Jaswinder (22 – STREET, Adam, 45); 2 – OWUSU-ANSAH Kennedy; 3 – ATTAKORA, Nana; 4 – SMITH, Liam; 5 – SURPRENANT, Alex (13 – AUGRUSO, Adam, 69); 7 – ROSA, Sean (16 – ROBERTS, Dane, 84); 8 – PEREIRA, Michael (Captain); 10 – GAUDET, Derek; 12 – HABER, Marcus; 11 – GALA, Gabriel; 14 – SAIKO, Shaun
Head Coach: HART Stephen
Subs not used: 6 – MELO, Joey; 9 – RUTLEDGE, Todd; 15 – LASSONDE, Fabrice; 17 – LEKO, Christopher
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