Canada Falls Short Against Australia in Return to Montreal
Despite controlling possession and outshooting the Socceroos, the Canadians failed to find the back of the net in their 1-0 loss.
After eight years away, the Canadian Men’s National team returned to Montreal Friday night for an international friendly against Australia. Unfortunately for the Canadian fans who packed a sold-out Stade Saputo, it was the Socceroos who came out on top, walking away with a 1-0 victory.
Jesse Marsch opted for a strong starting lineup, featuring big-time European-caliber talent like Jonathan David, Ismael Koné, and Tajon Buchanan. The big surprise pick was Cyle Larin, who made his first start for the national team since June 10 against the Ivory Coast. He led the line alongside David in Canada’s classic 4-4-2 formation.
The story of the night was the Canuck attack creating dangerous chances. Tajon Buchanan was active on the right wing from the opening whistle, using his pace to expose Australia’s backline. In the 15th minute, Buchanan scorched past Kye Rowles, only to be denied by a solid near-post block by Australian goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
Canada continued to apply pressure as the visitors struggled to settle into the game. Nathan Saliba tried a couple of long-range efforts that just missed the net before Ismael Koné created the chance of the half, weaving through Australia’s backline and releasing a trickling effort that forced Izzo to scramble backwards and slap the ball away from goal.
After getting outclassed in the first half, the Socceroos had their first real looks at goal in the opening phase of the second half. Mohamed Toure and Alessandro Circati each sailed close-range efforts over the net, keeping the game scoreless.
In the 63rd minute, Marsch switched things up, bringing on Jacob Shaffelburg and Promise David to rejuvenate the attack. Soon after, it was Shaffelburg’s low driven cross into the box that found its way right to David’s feet in front of the goal. The young striker’s shot took several deflections before Izzo got his body in front of it and knocked it away.
A minute later on the other side of the field, the visitors found the breakthrough in a peculiar fashion. Canadian right back Niko Sigur collected the ball deep inside his own box with a lack of urgency, failing to see Nestory Irankuna on his left shoulder. The Australian left winger caught Sigur off guard, stealing the ball off of his feet with a sliding effort that got past Maxime Crépeau in goal, giving the Socceroos an unexpected lead.
The attempt was Australia’s one and only shot on goal of the entire night.
In the final moments of the game, Canada desperately tried to salvage a result with an equalizing goal. In the 89th minute, Shaffelburg had the ultimate chance to do so. The Nashville SC winger found himself wide open at the top of the six-yard box, staring Izzo in the face with the ball coming in from his right side. Yet, the Australian goalkeeper pulled off a wonder-save from close range, denying Shaffelburg’s one-time effort that was poorly placed.
Then, with less than sixty seconds to go in a moment of last-minute chaos, Tani Oluwaseyi beat Izzo in the air to a high-arching, chipped ball on frame. His header was inches away from finding the back of the net. Instead, it bounced off the post, causing nearly 20,000 Canadian fans to jump out of their seats in disbelief.
When the final whistle blew seconds later, it was the outmatched Australians who celebrated. The Socceroos managed just 40 percent of possession and registered seven fewer shots on net than the hosts. Yet, it was Canada’s inefficiency in front of the net that let down a sold-out Stade Saputo.
Despite the result, there are positives for the Canucks to take away as they head to New Jersey, where they will finish their October international window with a friendly against Colombia. Kickoff is set for 8:00 Tuesday night in another World Cup preparation for Jesse Marsch’s side.
