Who will end Canada’s World Cup goal drought in Qatar?

Canada has weapons at its disposal going into Qatar.

Thirty-six years later, Bob Lenarduzzi still laments the scoring chance he missed at the World Cup.

In 1986, the bookmakers laid long odds on Canada getting a goal in Mexico. And they were proved right as the Canadian men lost 1-0 to France and 2-0 to Hungary in their first two outings at the tournament.

Lenarduzzi came close in Canada’s final Group C game at Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez in Irapuato, on a corner against the Soviet Union, only to have the ball squib off his foot in the penalty box. Canada was blanked again, losing 2-0 in its tournament finale.

“An unbelievable chance,” said Lenarduzzi, a defender by trade.

“It was a terrible effort,” he added with a laugh.

“To this day I will have people, older people that is, say ‘You cost me a few bucks. If you had scored there, I would have done all right.’ Whoever scores that first goal for Canada — and someone’s going to do it in Qatar — they don’t know it, but they should thank me for them having that honour. Because I should have scored.”

There were other chances back in the day.

Against France, an Ian Bridge header was off-target from a Mike Sweeney free kick. And an Igor Vrablic shot was cleared away by a defender after French goalie Joel Bats was caught off his goal line.