BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS—Canadian players sat hunched on the bench after Friday’s World Cup qualifier against St. Kitts and Nevis.
It wasn’t a loss, but it sure felt like one.
The Canadians were held 0-0 by the tiny Caribbean nation of some 43,000 people, but still earned the point needed to win their second-round group and advance to the next round of qualifying.
“First of all, we’re through,” Canadian defender Adam Straith said with a shrug. “You’ve got to take that positive out of it but it wasn’t a good performance by any means. We came up against a very motivated team today in St. Kitts and I didn’t think we were sharp enough.”
Canada, ranked 83rd in the world compared to No. 109 St. Kitts, was outplayed at times in front of a packed and boisterous Warner Park.
A band played for the entire 90 minutes and as St. Kitts put the Canadians under pressure, belief rose among players and fans alike that something special was possible.
It ultimately wasn’t to be, but for St. Kitts, it was an impressive result.
For Canada, it was the exact opposite.
“We allowed them way too much space, especially on the wings and they were crossing balls into the box and putting us under pressure,” said Canadian head coach Stephen Hart, who was animated at times as his players struggled with a team comprised mainly of local amateurs.
Canada has outscored its modest opposition 14-1 and taken 11 points out of a possible 15 in the group, but the last two games have left a lot to be desired with both finishing 0-0.
“All you can do is create the chances. It’s not like we didn’t create the chances,” Hart said. “So it’s always going to be our problem. It’s not like there’s a striker out there that’s playing that we don’t have. We just have to continue trying to create the chances and hopefully they’ll start to go in.”
Canada (3-0-2) plays St. Kitts (1-0-4) again at Toronto’s BMO Field on Tuesday in both team’s final group game.
Only the pool winner advances in this round of qualifying for the CONCACAF region, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The Canadians join No. 57 Honduras, No. 100 Cuba and another qualifier in the next group phase.
The top two teams in that pool will advance to the final round of qualifying, which will see three CONCACAF teams book their tickets to the 2014 World Cup and another have a chance at joining them via a playoff.
The Canadians started out Friday like it was going to be an easy night, but after Simeon Jackson, Dwayne De Rosario and Josh Simpson all missed early chances the tide changed.
And as Canada lost its swagger and imagination, St. Kitts answered with a few strong blows of its own.
The home side came out the better of the two to start the second half and could have taken the lead. Ian Lake missed a chance in the Canadian 18-yard box, while Isaac George had an appeal for a penalty waved off just minutes apart.
Ten minutes into the second half, Jackson fed a high, looping ball in for Julian de Guzman but his volley was easily held by St. Kitts goalkeeper Akil Byron.
Straith led a Canadian attack down the right in the 73rd and his cross found Jackson, but the striker’s touch was poor and St. Kitts cleared.
St. Kitts almost won it late. After Canadian goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld palmed a Matthew Berkeley shot wide for a corner, the resulting corner kick ricocheted around the box. Despite a few claims of handball by the hosts, the ball went out for another corner.
Jackson, who plays at Norwich City in England but isn’t getting regular minutes, had another chance in the final seconds after being put through alone on goal but Byron came off his line well to preserve the draw.
“If he gets one goal, who knows — he may just score on the others,” Hart said. “We’ve been trying to show confidence in him. Today he played in a position that he’s most comfortable but he was not at his best finishing-wise.”
TORONTO FC YOUTH CONVOCATED
Toronto FC’s youth policy has got another vote of confidence from Stephen Hart.
The national team coach called up Toronto FC teenager Matt Stinson on Thursday for Canada’s next two World Cup soccer qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis. The 19-year-old midfielder joins 20-year-old club teammate Ashtone Morgan, who retains his place after being summoned for matches last month.
“It’s been a pleasant surprise, seeing two young players playing at that level,” Canadian assistant coach Tony Fonseca, citing the youngsters’ “desire and passion,” said during a media conference call.
“Over time, they will be a great asset for our team.”
The two Toronto FC Academy graduates have already proved to be bargains for their MLS team, with each making $32,800 this season. The two rookies made a combined 27 appearances for TFC.
“Matt and Ashtone have grown in the Toronto FC system and were important members of the first team this season,” Toronto FC coach Aron Winter was quoted on the club website. “They have both done well with the opportunities Toronto FC has given them.”
The two youngsters will join TFC midfielder Julian de Guzman on the national team.
The Canadians (3-0-1) play in St. Kitts (1-0-3) on Nov. 11 and then return home for a Nov. 15 game at BMO Field. Canada needs only one point to advance to the next round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region.
St. Kitts and Nevis, ranked 109th in the world to Canada’s No. 83, are four points behind the Canadians in their group. Only the pool winner advances to the next round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Morgan made his debut off the bench, coming on with 19 minutes remaining in Canada’s 7-0 win in St. Lucia on Oct. 7. The young fullback did not see action in the ensuing 0-0 draw with Puerto Rico in Toronto on Oct. 11.
Fonseca says the young players will learn from their time with the national team.
“Right now it’s just give them the exposure necessary. Make them feel comfortable and learn how to play at that stage,” said Fonseca, pinch-hitting for Hart who was away on a personal matter.
“As you can imagine, a young player coming in, it’s quite a challenge. It’s a completely different dynamic. But we’re trying to do that slowly but surely, give them the tools necessary to perform.”
Canada has outscored its modest opposition 14-1 and taken 10 points out of a possible 12. But the Canadians could do no better than a scoreless draw with visiting Puerto Rico last time out and have had some trouble breaking down its defensive-minding opponents.
Fonseca acknowledged the team has been “a little bit nervous on the final pass.” He cited opposition tactics.
“Obviously Canadian teams are not used to playing against teams that just sit on top of the (penalty) box and defend, defend. They’re not too comfortable doing that. So it’s something that we are trying to address and slowly but surely I think we’re going to overcome that challenge.”
Of course, the standard of competition will rise in the next round of qualifying.
“Every game is a different game,” Fonseca replied. “As they get exposed to different types of scenarios, I think they will get better and improve,” he added.
If Canada gets past the preliminary round, it will join No. 57 Honduras, No. 100 Cuba, and another qualifier in the next group phase. The top two teams in that pool will advance to the final round of qualifying, which will see three CONCACAF teams book their ticket to the 2014 World Cup and another have a chance at joining them via a playoff.
Hart has also recalled veteran midfielder Patrice Bernier for the home and away games against St. Kitts. Fullback Mike Klukowski and defender-midfielder Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault also return to the squad.
Veteran defender Kevin McKenna and forward Iain Hume are dealing with injuries, Fonseca said, although McKenna could still rejoin the team health permitting.
Hart elected not to summon midfielders Terry Dunfield and Joseph Di Chiara, who were in the last squad.
Houston Dynamo defender Andre Hainault, who turned down an invitation for the last two Canada games to stick with his MLS team, was not asked this time.
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