Tenacious 10-man Canada falls to Costa Rica in 1st loss of World Cup qualifying campaign
CBC
Canada's bid to seal World Cup qualification was put on hold Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica that saw the Canadians play a man down for almost two-thirds of the match.
But the future remains bright, with Canada (7-1-4, 25 points) now looking to seal the deal Sunday in Toronto against No. 62 Jamaica (1-6-5, eight points) at a sold-out BMO Field where a draw would send them to Qatar 2022. They wrap up qualifying next Wednesday on the road against No. 63 Panama (5-4-3, 18 points).
"We're not looking over our shoulder. [Our] destiny's in our hands," said Canada coach John Herdman. "We've got the quality here, we've got the spirit to go and win this outright. We can take control of our destiny. ... We'll take care of business this weekend. And if doesn't get taken care of there, we'll take care of it in Panama. We'll get to Qatar."
It was 33rd-ranked Canada's first defeat in 18 qualifying matches (13-1-4) over three rounds, snapping a six-game win streak. The Canadians remain atop the eight-country final round-robin with a three-point edge over Mexico and the U.S. (both 6-2-4, 22 points).
"Look, this is football," said Herdman. "We went 17 games where we had the football gods with us. They weren't with us tonight. And It's made us hungry to come back home and take what we need to take."
WATCH | Short-handed Canadian squad drops 1st qualifier to Costa Rica:
There was plenty of drama through the evening, with 10-man Canada charging hard in the second half, the Costa Ricans hanging on and other results coming into play.
"It wasn't to be tonight. It's in the stars to do this at home," said Herdman.
Even if Canada loses its two remaining games and Costa Rica (5-3-4, 19 points) wins its last two, the Canadians would finish third — and qualify — unless the Costa Ricans make up an 11-goal deficit.
"We'll live and learn," said Herdman. "We got a little but humbled tonight with the result. That's what we needed. This is part of the learning process. We'll get back to Canada, we'll regroup. We'll have our 30,000 egging us on. And with this talent and the passion and the desire after the match, yeah, we'll be ready."
WATCH | CBC's Chris Jones discusses significance of Canadian WC qualification:
Veteran midfielder Celso Borges put No. 42 Costa Rica ahead in first-half stoppage time after Canada, which had had trouble defending set pieces, was unable to clear a free kick. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan punched the ball away but it went to Costa Rica's Gerson Torres and three passes later it was in the net as Borges rose above Stephen Eustaquio to head home a Torres cross.
The Canadians were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was sent off in the 34th minute for a second yellow card.
Kaye was cautioned in the 15th minute for a challenge on Ronald Matarrita, catching the FC Cincinnati star on the lower shin. Honduran referee Said Martinez went to the pitch-side monitor to review the play but elected to stick with the yellow card.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
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