When it was announced that Canada would take on Colombia at Red Bull Arena, it raised more than just a few eyebrows. Colombia is the third ranked team on the planet, where Canada isn’t even in the top 100. However, despite 117 spots separating these two nations, Canada showed what they could offer, and if it hadn’t been for some quick thinking from James Rodriguez, the game would have ended in a draw.
Only four minutes after the game kicked off, Canada’s head coach, Benito Floro, was furious that his side were not awarded a penalty kick. Tosaint Ricketts was clearly taken down in the box but no call was given, and Canada were forced to play on.
From the fourth minute on, it would be all Colombia as Canada did their best to fend off the South Americans, and keep them off the score sheet. Falcao thought he had thrown a wrench into that plan though, when he buried one in the 17th minute. Unfortunately for Colombia, It was quickly ruled offside. Much like the penalty kick decision, the referee seems to have gotten the call wrong again with Falcao looking onside.
Colombia dominated possession throughout the first half, but it was obvious as the half wore on that they were becoming increasingly frustrated. A fairly experienced Canada side had a clear game plan coming into the match, and they were able to stick with it. The game went into the break the same way it began, tied up at 0-0.
The second half would see much of the same, with Colombia doing everything in its power to put one past Milan Borjan. Canada was pressed deep into their own half for large spells of the second half but continued to hold firm and frustrate the star-studded South American side.
As well as Canada did to defend for the opening 75 minutes of the match, a moment of sheer brilliance from one of the planet’s best, James Rodriguez, was enough to undo all the hard work Floro’s men had put into the match. A quick free kick and a lovely shot caught the entire Canadian side off guard, and curled past Borjan to give Colombia the game’s only goal.
Many had anticipated Colombia putting at least 3 or 4 past Canada on Tuesday evening, but James Rodriguez’s goal would be the only one with the game ending 1-0. Colombia won’t be thinking about the result too much following the match, but there were definitely some anxious times for them at Red Bull Arena. They aren’t used to teams sitting back on them, and will need to find more solutions when teams do deploy a defensive strategy.
For Canada, the result is a promising one, especially considering all the players who weren’t in New York for Canada. Experienced veterans like Patrice Bernier, Dwayne De Rosario, and Atiba Hutchinson, were all absent on Tuesday evening, but the team didn’t seem to miss a beat.
Canada has a lot of hope for the future with youngsters like Toronto FC’s Jordan Hamilton and Doneil Henry showing all kinds of potential. It wasn’t very long ago that Canada was embarrassed in Honduras 8-1 to be eliminated from World Cup qualifying, but things seems to be turning around already under Benito Floro.
Starting Lineups
Canada: Borjan, Henry, Edgar, Hainault, de Jong, Straith, Nakajima-Farran, Pacheco, de Guzman, Ledgerwood, Ricketts
Colombia: Vargas, Arias, Zapata, Murillo, Zuniga, Cuadrado, Carbonero, Mejia, Teo, Falcao