If 2015 is supposed to be a coming out party for Canadian soccer, then Saturday night was a great start to the party. In their first match of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, Canada showed why they are receiving such high praise in international football. Off of two goals by Jordan Hamilton, they were able to easily dispatch Haiti by the score of 3-1.
At the start of the first forty-five, Canada appeared that they might gain the early advantage. In just the fifth minute of the match, forward Michael Petrasso was able to find space at the top of Haiti’s eighteen yard box.
However before he was able to get his shot off, Haiti right-back Stephane Lambese would make the tackle and clear the ball out of danger. The PSG Academy player proved to be the foil for Canada all throughout the first-half using his size to gain advantages on the smaller Canadian forwards.
Canada would not be denied. Just six minutes later forward Jordan Hamilton, would connect on a pass by midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare to give Canada the early 1-0 advantage. Hamilton, who is a Toronto FC academy player, used his speed to split past the Haitian center-backs and delivered a shot just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ramos Pointe Jour.
Hamilton would score again just seven minutes later when head home a cross taken by center-back Samuel Adekugbe. The goals were Hamilton’s third and fourth, respectively, for the Canadian U-20 team.
Despite being down two goals, Haiti would not back down. A side that scored 19 goals during Carribbean Football Union qualification, Haiti has shown that they can score freely and often. In the 29th minute they would do just that when forward Jonel Desire when head home the rebound off of a free kick. Canadian players pleaded for a foul on Haiti after goalkeeper Marco Carducci was bumped but the referee did not make the call.
In the second half, Haiti would do themselves a disservice when defender Zachary Herivaux would foul Petrasso in the box setting up a penalty kick. Petrasso would bury his shot past Pointe Jour to extend Canada’s lead 3-1. The goal would Petrasso’s second with the U-20 team.
With the win Canada moved into second place in Group B, ahead of El Salvador (0-1-0, 1 point) and Honduras (0-1-0, 1 point). They do trail Mexico (1-0-0, 3 points) based on Mexico’s superior goal differential (+8 to +3). Canada will play Mexico on Tuesday at 3pm EST.
Haiti’s loss drops them to fifth place in Group B. They will play El Salvador on Tuesday at 7pm EST.
MATCH SUMMARY
Canada- Marco Carducci, Rares Serban, Samuel Adekugbe, Alexander Comsia, Luca Gasparatto (Manny Aparicio 45′), Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Marco Bustos, Christopher Nano (Cyle Larin 72′,) Kianz Gonzalez- Froese (Louis Beland-Goyette 82′,) Michael Petrasso, and Jordan Hamilton
Goals: Hamilton (11′ and 18′) and Petrasso (70′)
Yellow Card: Aparicio (53′)
Haiti- Ramos Pointe Jour, Stephane Lambese, Demas Fernander, Jean Jean Baptiste, Marckendel Paul, Woodensky Cherenfant (Venel Saint Fort 66′,) Bryan Alceus (Nerlin Saint-Vil 71′,) Alessandro Campoy, Peterson Joseph, and Jonel Desire (Zachary Herivaux 45′).
Goal: Desire (29′)
