The Canadian men’s national team will have to wait a little while longer to book their ticket to Qatar. They fell 1-0 in Costa Rica on Thursday night in World Cup Qualifying action, as Celso Borges’ first-half goal was all Los Ticos needed to put an end to Canada’s undefeated run.
With several players unavailable due to injury and suspension, Canada boss John Herdman opted for a new-look lineup with Atiba Hutchinson starting at centre-back and Richie Laryea on the left, while Cyle Larin and Jonathan David shared striker’s roles up front.
After some theatrics to begin the encounter — the sides walked out to the pitch to a roar of fireworks, which continued well into the Canadian national anthem — the game started in fairly cagey fashion as the two sides tried to feel each other out.
The first half was perhaps one of the most frustrating Canada have experienced in this World Cup Qualifying campaign. The heated contest in front of a raucous San José crowd certainly brought out the hard tackles, but it wasn’t long before Canada paid for that aggression. Mark-Anthony Kaye picked up an early yellow card for a high tackle, and he was nearly sent off for it when the referee spent several minutes on a VAR check.
Kaye’s reprieve was short-lived, though; just 20 minutes after his first yellow, he bumped into a Costa Rican player away from the ball and quickly earned himself a second caution to put Canada down to 10 men.
To make matters worse for Canada, just on the brink of halftime, the hosts won several set-pieces around the Canadian box and, ultimately, a well-placed ball found the head of Celso Borges to make it 1-0 — the first time Canada had trailed since October.
The second half, however, started much more positively for Canada. Despite being down a man, the visitors took the front foot for the 10 minutes out of the gate as Costa Rica began to sit back more. It was still Los Ticos, though, who had the better chances of the early second half on the counter attack; one move in particular saw two attackers in almost alone on goalkeeper Milan Borjan, but the Red Star Belgrade shot-stopper managed to get a hand to the shot and kept the rebound out of harm’s way, with some help from Atiba Hutchinson.
Still, though Herdman and Canada continued to go for it. In the 69th minute, the coach made his first substitution — an aggressive one, at that — as Junior Hoilett came in for fullback Alistair Johnston. Iké Ugbo and Ismaël Koné (making his international debut) joined the fray off the bench soon after as well, as Canada continued to throw all they had at the Costa Rican end.
One Canada chance, in particular, set the 35,000-strong crowd in San José on edge around the 70th minute, as a flurry of bounces and deflections in the box after some nifty footwork by Hoilett and David seemed destined for the goal, but Tajon Buchanan’s volleyed attempt ended up over the bar.
In the 88th minute, Canada came even closer, as David’s header off a short cross by Laryea turned goalward, but caromed off the right goalpost.
Ultimately, despite their valiant efforts, Canada weren’t quite able to find their breakthrough. Thanks to Mexico’s 0-0 draw with the United States on Thursday, Canada still haven’t technically clinched their World Cup berth, but they’ll have a chance to cross the finish line on Sunday when they take on Jamaica in Toronto.
BOX SCORE
Goals
45+1′ — Celso Borges (Costa Rica)
Discipline
15′ — Yellow: Mark-Anthony Kaye (Canada)
34′ — Second Yellow: Mark-Anthony Kaye (Canada)
36′ — Yellow: Johan Venegas (Costa Rica)
54′ — Yellow: Ronald Matarrita (Costa Rica)
