Canada earns another away point in World Cup qualification

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It wasn’t pretty, but all points matter in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier and Canada will take the win in Jamaica on Sunday.

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The two teams played a 0-0 draw at an empty Independence Park stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, each earning one point in the eight-team Concacaf World Cup standings.

“It was what we expected, we knew the Jamaican team had been getting a little bit of heat in their performances so we knew they were going to come out shooting,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “I thought we controlled it well. The first 45 minutes, I thought Canada was in control, but we never threatened them at the levels that we can.

“Then in the second half, I thought we had good control, but they will always catch you on set pieces and counterattacks and we had to be quite resilient at times. I think the main thing is that we would have loved to add three points (to win) here, but we took two away from Jamaica, added one and we were undefeated, which is not easy to do on the road.

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Canada will return home to host Panama on Wednesday at BMO Field for their third and final qualifying match during this FIFA international window.

A capacity of more than 25,000 people is expected as the Ontario provincial government has lifted assistance restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A win would take Canada to third place after six games, and it currently ranks fourth with a draw against Jamaica.

The top three teams after the round robin round robin advance to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fourth-place finisher moves on to an intercontinental playoff against a country from another region for an additional spot in the 32-team World Cup tournament.

“I’m happy with the way the guys came out (Sunday), given how many players we were missing,” Herdman said. “But at the same time; only the commitment of that group to go out in difficult conditions and give everything, which is what they have done.”

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Canada had a chance to win the match, but also came close to conceding the deciding goal on several occasions.

Jamaica came closer to breaking the deadlock when midfielder Junior Flemmings launched a header from the far post on a free kick that Toronto FC’s Kemar Lawrence threw into the penalty area.

Canada’s best chance came in the 60th minute, when midfielder Liam Millar failed to bury a babysitter with a ball that Alphonso Davies threw into the center of the Jamaican penalty area. Miller had the entire net to target, but he fired straight at goalie Andre Blake, who made the save in self-defense.

Canada started strong with Derek Cornelius and Doneil Henry at the heart of the defense with Alistair Johnston and Sam Adekugbe on the right and left side respectively. Herdman left with five midfielders, playing Davies on the left and Jonathan Osorio on the right with Samuel Piette, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Liam Millar in the middle and Jonathan David up front.

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Davies had the first good chance of the game in the 15th minute, when he received a pass just inside the penalty area, but threw his attempt with his left foot just wide. A few moments later, Henry couldn’t catch a volley cleanly from eight yards and passed his shot over the net.

Jamaica’s first quality opportunity came in the 23rd minute, when Kemar Roofe had a free header in the area after a free kick, but was unable to hit the target.

Canada did well to dictate the game on a choppy field, but lacked quality in the finishing touch.

Canada has yet to lose in five playoff games with four draws and one win. Three of the ties have toured the United States, Mexico and now Jamaica.

“I thought sometimes we were in control on a tough field,” Herdman said. “The guys showed that spirit of wanting to play and play with their style and their identity and they came out with a good point. I think this is a good point. We will regret losing two (points). But I think, coming out of this, Mexico is a difficult place to get a point, Jamaica is a difficult place to get a point and we are on our way back home for three home games.

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“This is what we’re waiting for, to come home and for our fans to pick us up and push us through these next three games and finally start to make it difficult for the opponents as well.”

In the second half, Canada came out with more urgency and were on the verge of scoring a minute after the restart when David took a left-footed shot but hit Blake. Davies then launched a free kick just wide from the top of the penalty area minutes later.

Just over 10 minutes into the half, Flemmings’ opportunity came on the post and five minutes later, Millar blew an opportunity, which is likely to have nightmares.

With just over 15 minutes to go, substitute Stephen Eustaquio reached the end of a Sam Adekugbe cross and narrowly headed it.

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“For us, there was good control of the game, we just couldn’t find that half yard you need to make the shot,” Herdman said. “Sometimes it was just trying to get the ball in the swinging center or being able to have that extra touch that Phonzie needs on dribbling to be able to beat her man. It was difficult, but at the same time, they made a change and we came out with a point and we will take it ”.

In other results on Sunday, Panama defeated the United States 1-0 at home, Costa Rica defeated El Salvador 2-1 at home and Mexico defeated Honduras 3-0 at home.

Mexico currently leads the standings with 11 points, while the United States and Panama are second with eight and Canada fourth with seven. Costa Rica (6), El Salvador (5), Honduras (3) and Jamaica (2) complete the rest of the group.

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