El Salvador appeared in front of Canada with an appetite for the dispute. And he fueled. But it was the Reds who left with the loot.
The Canadians won 2-0 against a nine players’ Salvador on Tuesday evening in Houston. It was the third and last match of their group phase at the Gold Cup. With this gain, Canada confirmed its qualification for the quarterfinals by taking the first row of group B. It will face Guatemala on Saturday evening in Minneapolis.
The end result is logical, of course. But the path to get there could hardly have been more winding.
“There was more fight than Soccer that was played in this match,” said Niko Sigur at the microphone of Onesoccer, with accuracy. Because for a long time, this match has produced everything except attractive football. Canada’s goals came from Jonathan David, 53ethen from Tajon Buchanan, three minutes later.
“We haven’t lost our heads”
Where to start?
The Salvador’s tataouinage started in the fourth minute of play. At that moment, Santos Ortiz needed the help of the healers after receiving an accidental crampon from Richie Laryea to his face. Ortiz remained extended on the lawn for easily eight minutes … to finally stay in the meeting, apparently without problem.
One of the trainers was also expelled by receiving a red card, after the fact. Unheard of, as far as we are concerned. Concacaf to its best – or its worst, it is.
PHOTO DUSTIN SAFRANEK, IMAGN IMAGES PAR REUTERS CONNECT
Santos Ortiz receives the care of a healer after receiving an accidental crampon.
The game finally resumed 12e minute. Ortiz received a yellow card a few moments later. The Salvadorians had come to Houston to break the rhythm of an adversary who was superior to him. On this, at least, they were able to say mission accomplished, at least until the second period.
At 35eOrtiz received a second yellow, which reported his expulsion from the match. In the long minutes added from the first period, the salvador faults continued, until Canada obtained a penalty. That Jonathan David was not able to convert: his shot was blocked by the porter Mario González.
At 10 against 11, with a goalkeeper who had just made a miraculous stop in front of one of the most fit attackers on the planet, we would have thought that the energy of the Salvadorians was going to be galvanized, right?
In subsequent moments, 9e Minute of the time added from the first half, Jairo Henriquez received a red card for carrying his elbow in the face of Alistair Johnston. It was the very first time in the history of the Gold Cup that a team received two red cards in the first period, according to TSN.
“It’s crazy,” said Richie Laryea on the waves of Onesoccer. We do not prepare for a match thinking that they will receive two red cards. We managed that. We haven’t lost our heads. We have not received red boxes or suspension. It’s very positive. »»
It is therefore with an equality of 0-0 that the two teams retired in the locker room. At least Canada was able to comfort itself, at that time, saying that the Calvary of the Salvadorians anti-game was going to be neutralized by their own fault.
Canada dominated the rest of the commitment, ending the meeting with a gigantic 80 % possession, 14 shots attempted and 353 more assists than The Cuscatlecos.
David and Buchanan, again
Jesse Marsch had trusted Maxime Crépeau in front of the Canada net, giving him his chance after two starts by Dayne St. Clair. The Quebecer will not be reluctant to have a white game, certainly. But he faced a large total of zero shot, and only two shots attempted.
What unleashed the offensive meeting for the reds is the permutation between Tajon Buchanan and Jacob Shaffelburg, who exchanged corridor on the return from the locker room.
Buchanan, on the left, carried the ball in depth on the game which led to the sublime combination between Mathieu Choinière and Jonathan David for the opening of the score. Choinière, with his learned right foot towards David in the surface, allowed the artilleryman to release his Sunday finish for the 1-0.
PHOTO TROY TAORMINA, IMAGN IMAGES PAR REUTERS CONNECT
Jonathan David (10)
Three minutes later, it was Niko Sigur who sent the brilliant -like leather to Buchanan in an open surface. Just like that, it was 2-0, and the books closed for Salvador, in this match as in this tournament.
“Today, we had to show our character,” reacted Laryea. Sometimes it’s not easy when the team opposite has nothing to lose. But we played three very different games that prepare us very well for the quarter -finals. »»
