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Young Canadians impress against Macedonia
Fielding its youngest lineup for an international game, Canada upset Macedonia 1-0 in an exhibition match in front of 8,491 fans at Varsity Stadium.
It was the first win in six games for the men's national side, dating back to last year and its failed bid to qualify for next month's World Cup in France.
"We're a very young team, but we showed a lot of courage," Canadian interim head coach Bruce Twamley said of his lineup, which averaged 22 years of age. "We played a scrappy game, but we've still got a long way to go."
Striker Niall Thompson, 24, got Canada's goal in the sixth minute when he headed a corner kick past Macedonian 'keeper Petar Atanovski.
It was one of several good chances in the first half for Canada, which displayed speed and creativity against a Macedonian team that had tied the World Cup-bound U.S. 0-0 on Saturday and produced wins over Bulgaria and Jamaica in recent weeks.
"This was a big win for us," Canadian midfielder and Toronto native Robbie Arristodemo, 21, said. "We played with a lot of intensity. We definitely have a good nucleus of players here."
Along with Arristodemo and Thompson, the Canadian lineup featured several rising stars who likely will play a major role in the next World Cup qualifying run two years from now; players such as striker Paul Stalteri, midfielder Jason Bent and defenders Jason DeVos and Brad Parker.
With Canada retreating into a defensive shell in the second half, Macedonia pressed most of its players forward but could not get the equalizer. The Canadian players rushed on to the field and hugged in jubilation after the final whistle.
Yesterday's game also marked the possible end of Twamley's one-game tenure as the national coach. The Canadian Soccer Association, which appointed Twamley on a temporary basis when Bob Lenarduzzi resigned last year, has said it will pursue an international coach to lead Canada in its next World Cup qualifying run.
"I would love to see someone brought in who can elevate the entire program," said Twamley, who will go back to his full-time job as Canada's Olympic soccer coach. "But if that's not going to happen, then I'd like to stay on."
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GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan