Japan 1 – Canada 2 | Canada wins after an encouraging performance

The national team played one last preparatory match, against Japan, before facing Belgium at the World Cup on Wednesday. The Maple Leaf put in a solid performance in a last-gasp 2-1 win.

“It was important for trust,” John Herdman stressed after the meeting. The win was the icing on the cake. All I cared about was the performance. »

It took an added-time penalty in the second half to break the tie. And it is Lucas Cavallini, at 93^And, who sealed the match with a daring shot. His “panenka”, a lobed shot in the middle to deceive the goalkeeper, almost missed. Defender Steven Vitória scored the first goal of this comeback in the 21st minute^And.

“I was happy for Cavallini! Herdmann added. [Il] has struggled to navigate in recent years. It took a lot of courage at that moment, right at the end of the game. And, then, perform this panenka… Man, shows that this is a new Canada. »

Canada responds well

Yes, Canada looked a little nervous going into the game. And against a great nation like Japan, of which it is the seventh consecutive World Cup, a simple moment of loss can cost dearly.

And it happened at 9^And minute. A long ball from midfield was cleverly deflected by Yuki Soma, leg in arabesque, just in front of goalkeeper Milan Borjan. 1-0, Blue Samurai.

Sure enough, that target seemed to whip Herdman’s troop. It was she who set the pace and dominated possession in the first half. Jonathan David, in particular, was bold in his duels and in the final third. Tajon Buchanan has used his speed to good effect on several occasions. Junior Hoilett was very effective at distributing the ball from a set piece.

It was against this backdrop that Canada managed a draw. At 10pm^And, Hoilett sent one of eight Canadian corners into the box. After a deflection from Atiba Hutchinson, defender Steven Vitória struck home at the outlet.

Beautiful, but not only

In the second period, Japan was more insistent. And despite a shot that beat Milan Borjan right at the end of the game, before hitting the post, the Japanese were no longer able to break through the Canadian defense. In itself, more than the good performance of the Reds, it is this resilience that they will have to demonstrate against the fierce offensive threats of Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

“We showed our qualities in defence, Herdman underlined. We narrowly escaped a couple of times, even when they hit the post. Fortune has smiled on us, but we will take advantage of it. »

However, the Maple Leaf will have to make some changes between now and the big tournament. In particular, it will need more success in the final third. Behind, he will also have to eliminate some slag. Samuel Piette, in particular, made a few mistakes in the first half before being replaced by Ismaël Koné in the second.

Among other CF Montreal representatives, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller were starters. With his 28^And back-to-back game for Canada, Johnston broke the record held by Bruce Wilson. Joel Waterman, replacing Johnston, got twenty minutes of play at the end of the match.

Note the excellent performance of Junior Hoilett. The England striker was one of Canada’s best players during this encounter. He obviously wants to force John Herdman’s hand.

Update on Davies and Eustáquio

Alphonso Davies has not played after picking up a hamstring injury with Bayern Munich in their penultimate match before half-time. Midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who should have been on the bench, was removed just before the start of the match.

John Herdman, on Davies: “He’s coming to join us. We’ll see where it is when it arrives. »

Then, on Eustáquio: “For the moment it is only a preventive. He sensed something when he arrived. […] For us he is a key player. His health remains our priority. »

The coach says he is “proud” of his men. But he adds that the clash with Belgium “will not be at the same level”.

“It will be a different occasion. Our players have to rise to the occasion. »