Canada lost a heartbreaker late to Angola in their second group match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019. Deep into added time and in search of a winner, Canada conceded in the 94th minute on a goalmouth scramble as Angola won 2:1 to qualify for the knockout phase of the biennial tournament. Canada now have their backs against the wall in a must-win scenario in their group finale against New Zealand on Friday night.
Canada were in control for much of the match, but conceded the opening goal in the 31st minute to Angola’s Zini. After equalising quickly after the half-time break on a Jacen Russell-Rowe goal in the 49th minute, Canada could not add to their total before Angola’s David scored the winner in the dying minutes.
Canada will next face New Zealand on 1 November again at the Bezerrão in Gama, Brasilia. In Canada, fans can watch the match live via TSN and RDS at 19.00 ET / 16.00 PT (20.00 local). Extended match day coverage will be featured across Canada Soccer’s digital channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to follow Canada Soccer’s Men’s U-17 National Team every step of the way by using their social media handle, #canm17.
“We came here to progress in the tournament, and we are still looking for our first win ever at this level. That first win has to come against New Zealand,” said Andrew Olivieri, Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL U-14 to U-17 Program Director. “That could be enough to get us through, if we can get that win and close the goal difference, we may see ourselves achieve our objective.”
MATCH CENTRE, QUOTES & PHOTOS http://canadasoccer.com/?t=match&gid=1550
It could have been a very different story with the start Canada had dreamed against Angola, but a second-minute shot from Kamron Habibullah hit the crossbar and stayed out. It was the first of a trio of big chances that Canada created in the first 45 minutes. Midway through the half, a Jayden Nelson free kick was well stopped by goalkeeper Geovani. Then moments before the break, a Damiano Pecile low shot at the back post was just saved by Geovani. At the other end of the pitch, Angola were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute after a Canada handball, but the decision was nullified after the Video Assistant Referee confirmed an offside call.
Canada scored their equaliser on a lovely combination from Pecile to Ralph Priso to Russsell-Rowe. Canada’s goalscorer cut through the central defenders and fired his left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
Russell-Rowe came close again on a pair of chances and Deandre Kerr also once found himself with an opportunity close to goal, but as the game wore on Angola held out for their point that would have been enough to see them through to the Round of 16. Just before added time, they took their chance and got behind Canada’s defence to put the ball past the goalkeeper, but the play was called offside offside after review by the Video Assistant Referee.
The winner was scored after an Angola free kick was headed in front of goal, bounced high over the defender and dropped fortuitously off Zini’s body. With Zini and Canadian goalkeeper Marc Kouadio fallen to the ground, Zini kicked it back for David to smash into the net for the 2-1 win.
ROAD TO THE FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP BRAZIL 2019
Canada qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 after winning 4-3 on kicks from the penalty mark over Concacaf rivals Costa Rica on 12 May. After 120 minutes in the Florida heat with no winner from a 1:1 draw, Canada won their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in six years.
This marks the seventh time that Canada advances to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the biennial competition that was initially launched as the FIFA U-16 World Tournament in 1985. Canada were the second hosts of the competition in 1987.
FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP BRAZIL 2019
Brazil’s experience as a host of global football competitions dates back almost 70 years to the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. More recently, the nation staged the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, which drew almost 3.5 million fans to packed stadiums in 12 Host Cities around the country. While recent major events held in Brazil have featured stars at the height of their careers, the FIFA U-17 World Cup brings together the best young footballers in the world for a unique opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage.
This will mark Canada’s seventh participation at the FIFA U-17 World Cup and first since 2011. From past editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Canadian youth players that went on to represent the Men’s National Team include Paul Peschisolido (Canada 1987), Mauro Biello (Scotland 1989), Jim Brennan (Japan 1993), Paul Stalteri (Japan 1993), Patrice Bernier (Ecuador 1995), Maxime Crépeau (Mexico 2011), Samuel Piette (Mexico 2011), and Marco Bustos (UAE 2013).
CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S EXCEL PROGRAM
Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels our nation’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.
MEN’S EXCEL PROGRAM U-14 to U-23: https://www.canadasoccer.com/men-s-u-14-to-u-17-p144317
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Youth Teams have won two CONCACAF titles: both the 1986 and 1996 CONCACAF Men’s Youth Championships. Canada have now qualified for 15 FIFA men’s youth tournaments: eight editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and seven editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. By reaching the semi-finals at both the 2019 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship and 2019 Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship, Canada finished top-four in two Concacaf men’s youth tournaments in the same year for the first time since 2001.
SOURCE: Canada Soccer
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