'It's in the stars': Herdman's Canadian squad shifts qualifying focus to Sunday's game vs. Jamaica
CBC
Sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.
Such is the case with Canada's 1-0 defeat in Costa Rica on Thursday night, a result that temporarily put its hopes of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on hold, and provided a valuable lesson for coach John Herdman's side.
The loss was the Canadians' first in this final round of the CONCACAF qualifiers, snapping a six-game winning streak and ending a 11-match unbeaten run. They were also undefeated in their previous 17 qualifying contests since their campaign kicked off in earnest last March.
It had been pretty smooth sailing for Canada thus far in the qualifiers, with wins secured against the region's traditional heavyweights, and points earned on the road against the United States and Mexico. Thursday's game at Estadio Nacional in San Jose was supposed to be the crowning moment for Canada, a victory finally ending its World Cup drought after 36 years.
WATCH | Short-handed Canadian squad drops 1st qualifier to Costa Rica:
The Canadians have been the model of restraint through these qualifiers, keeping their cool and staying poised as they've dealt with a gruelling travel schedule, and the type of chicanery and gamesmanship from opponents that is typical in the CONCACAF region. But small cracks in their steely exterior began to appear on Thursday.
Buoyed by the fervent hometown crowd, Costa Rica made things very uncomfortable for Canada early on with its aggressive pressing style, and didn't allow the visitors to find their attacking rhythm.
Canada weathered the furious Costa Rican storm of pressure and started to find a foothold in the game, but things took a dramatic turn when midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye picked up a second yellow card for an off-the-ball foul in the 34th minute when he brushed shoulders with Johan Venegas as the two players jawed at one another.
WATCH | Canada's Kaye sent off in 1st half after 2 yellow cards:
Venegas sold it by collapsing to the ground in a heap as though he'd been shot, but Kaye should have known better to get sucked in by Venegas' baiting tactics while already on a caution. His act of petty petulance forced Canada to play the rest of the match a man down.
A Costa Rican goal just before halftime seemed to indicate how the rest of the match might play out, with the hosts using their numerical advantage to force the issue against the under-manned visitors.
Instead, it was the other way around. Costa Rica fell into a defensive bunker as though it had been reduced to 10 men, while Canada furiously attacked in the knowledge that a draw would see it clinch a World Cup berth.
Tajon Buchanan latched onto a cross into the box from Stephen Eustáquio, and forced a sharp save from Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Jonathan David had a chance to score with a shot from in close after making a quick turn inside the box, only to see his attempt blocked by a defender. Eustáquio also had a good look on goal, but pushed his angled shot just wide of the far post.
WATCH | CBC Sports' Extra Time examines 1-0 loss to Costa Rica:
