The Canadian men’s soccer team put an important week behind them in a convincing 4-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday in a Concacaf Nations League game.
The win was followed by a week in which the players missed two training sessions and refused to play a friendly against Panama in Vancouver due to a contract dispute.
Canada, ranked 38th in the world, didn’t seem to have much rust to remove, however, putting pressure on Curaçao from the second minute of play.
Alphonso Davies scored twice, the first in a punishment in the first half, as Steven Vitoria and Lucas Cavallini threaded a needle into each other.
It was a quiet night for Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who did not face any shots on target. Eloy Room saved five balls for Curaçao.
Canada will resume its Nations League game on Monday against its Honduras in San Pedro Sula.
The Canadians sealed the game in the 86th minute. Sam Adekugbe had a pass to Cavallini, who redirected the ball into the net. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward entered the game in the 76th minute.
Canada controlled the game for most of the first half, cornering Curaçao on their territory for a long time. John Herdman’s staff outscored the visitors, 15-2 on shots and 5-0 on shots on target.
Davies opened the scoring in the 27th minute after being pushed into the penalty area by Jurien Gaari. The 21-year-old star player took a penalty and he hit the target with a low shot in the left corner.
Davies set Canada’s second goal of the night with a corner kick late in the first half. The ball was saved by Room, but Jonathan David snatched the return and he saw Vitoria’s header to make it 2-0.
In the second half, Davies passed the ball to Richie Laryea, who passed it to Davies. The latter scored in the 74th minute for his second goal of the night.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
