CANADA VS JAMAICA HAD EVERYTHING A SOCCER FAN WANTED...MAYBE!
Originally published: 22 November 2023
CANADA VS JAMAICA: A Game that had everything
5 Goals, a Penalty Kick, a Player sent off, some fantastic saves, and a stadium absolutely rocking. What more do you want?
Leading up to the game I found myself in an uncomfortable head space. The Team that emerged victorious would qualify for the Copa America tournament. For me this game was a Win Win or Lose Lose situation depending on whether you're a glass half full or glass half empty person. I'm Canadian by birth but my mother is from Jamaica. Ideally I would like to see both teams qualify. Of course that's still possible as the loser will have one more opportunity to play themselves into the tournament. Who did I want to see advance on this day? I couldn't decide. As the players took the field I decided all I wanted for sure was to see an entertaining game. I got what I wished for.
Canada began this game with the advantage having beat Jamaica in the first leg 2-1. The pressure would be on the Reggae Boyz to defeat the Canadians at BMO Field on a cold wet evening in Toronto. Speaking with the other media members before the game the consensus was that Canada should come away as the victor.
Early on it definitely appeared as though this could be a long night for the Jamaican fans. Alphonso Davies opened the scoring in the 25th minute. If it wasn't for a couple of fantastic saves by Jamaican Goalkeeper Andre Blake in the first 12 minutes the game would have been decided by halftime. In fact Jamaica's first attempt at goal didn't come until the 30th minute. The Jamaicans played with a little more urgency down 3-1 on aggregate but didn't change tactics until the second half.
A few things happened around halftime that had significant impacts on the game. The Jamaicans made a key Substitution bringing in attacking Defender Michael Hector. For most of the night it was misting but during halftime and for about 10 minutes after it actually rained slicking up the field. Lastly and most importantly the Jamaicans pushed four players forward and played a very aggressive 3-3-4. This formation had an immediate impact. The Jamaicans rang one off Borjan's crossbar and then Shamar Nicholson scored twice to give Jamaica a 2-1 lead in the game. That lead was short lived though because only a few minutes later Ismael Kone scored for Canada equalizing the game but more importantly giving Canada the 4-3 lead on aggregate.
In the 75th minute the Canadian Coach made a decision to switch to a more defensive group with fresh legs in order to preserve the win. This would prove to be a key error in judgement. Strikers Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan as well as goal scorer Ismael Kone were all substituted. Only 3 minutes later Bobby De Cordova-Reid would score from the penalty spot following a controversial handball in the box by Stephen Eustaquio. Jamaica now ahead on aggregate based on away goals was on their way to victory. Even a second yellow to Demarai Gray in the 84th minute reducing them to ten men wouldn't stop them from spoiling a Canadian celebration at home. Canada desperately brought in a couple strikers late but it wouldn't be enough. It's my belief that the substitution of Tajon Buchanan was the key ingredient missing from their attack in extra time.
Canada is eliminated from the CONCACAF Nations League, and will have to beat Trinidad & Tobago on March 23rd 2024 in Texas to qualify for the Copa America. Will Mauro Biello still be the interim Head Coach for Canada at that time? Judging by the murmurs in the media scrum after the game a lot of people don't think so. Doesn't matter to me whoever happens to be in charge of the team at that time. As long as Canada comes away with the victory so both of my allegiances are represented in the Copa America.
PHOTOS BY ALISA TRAN