Almost 18 months after the Covid-19 pandemic began, I finally attended my first Canadian Men’s National Team match during their World Cup 2022 qualifying cycle. It’s been a very hectic and crazy time with the world literally shutting down for a novella virus that seems to be devasting the elderly and immunocompromised. For many, it’s been a highly contagious illness that has caused some to experience severe symptoms impacting their respiratory system while others have experienced mild to no symptoms. I’m sure years from now when we reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that we’ll appreciate the efforts made to help reduce the spread of this disease. But for now, let’s focus on the present and the task on hand for Canada.
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round (Octagonal) |
Due to the ongoing pandemic and the uncertainty that it still brings,
CONCACAF ultimately decided to expand the final round of World Cup qualifying
from six teams to eight to keep it fair for countries involved, including
Canada. As per the new format dubbed “the Octagonal,” the top eight
CONCACAF teams will play a series of home-and-away matches from September 2021
through March 2022. The top three teams will automatically qualify for
World Cup 2022, which will be held in Qatar. The fourth-place team will
participate in a home-and-away Inter-Confederation playoff in June 2022 to earn
one of the final spots in the tournament.
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round - Canada vs. Honduras |
Not since 1998 has Canada been this close to qualifying for their elusive second FIFA World Cup appearance. All-in-all, Canada will face off against the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras over 14 matches during the next six months. This will not be an easy task by any means! And to kick it all off, Canada’s first match in the Octagonal would be a home match against the pesky Honduras squad.
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round - Canada vs. Honduras |
Oh, Honduras! A team that still casts a shadow over the Canadian team some seven years after it’s infamous 8-1 drubbing in San Pedro Sula. Not only did that eliminate us from World Cup 2014 qualifying, but it remains one of our worst defeats ever. On the bright side, we’re playing at home where we’ve seen better days against Honduras. Time to move forward and secure a quick win knowing the challenging schedule that lies ahead for us.
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round - Canada vs. Honduras |
Due to Covid restrictions, BMO Field had significantly fewer fans than normal with an official attendance of 14,822 – about 48% of capacity. Despite the lackluster attendance, the Voyageurs – Canada’s Supporters Group – made us heard right from the start. This was much needed given Honduras took the 1-0 lead in the 40’ from an Alexander López penalty kick. Heading into halftime, it felt like every other World Cup cycle previous where Canada was going to struggle early on against a team they absolutely need to beat to remain competitive later against the two CONCACAF Giants – United States and Mexico. Plus, the likelihood of Canada earning a win in Honduras later in the Octagonal was slim at best as the conditions in Central America are much more difficult to play in with the humidity, hostile fan base, and subpar stadium conditions.
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| 2022 FIFA World Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round - Canada vs. Honduras |
The second half began as we waited in anticipation for a response from Canada. That moment finally came in the 66’ when the ref awarded us a penalty and Cyle Larin put the ball into the back of the net to tie the match up at one goal apiece. After that, the momentum began to shift in our favour as Canada continued to press aggressively on the offense with a few near-miss opportunities from Jonathan David and Richie Laryea to give us the lead late in the game. Compared to the first half, Canada had much better cohesion in these last 45 minutes of the match. With the final whistle blown, Canada secured their first point in the Octagonal from the 1-1 draw against Honduras. Not the result we wanted, but a result reflective of our performance today. Next up for us will be the United States in Nashville on September 5, which will be our first major challenge in the Octagonal having last defeated the Americans on their home turf back in 1957 during a previous World Cup qualification.
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| 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification - CONCACAF Third Round - Canada vs. Honduras |
2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification – CONCACAF Third Round (Octagonal)
Match: Canada vs. Honduras
Stadium: BMO Field – Toronto, ON
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2021
Kickoff: 8:05pm EST
Attendance: 14,822
Score: 1 – 1
40' – HON – Alexander López (P)
66’ – CAN – Cyle Larine (P)
Disciplinary:
HON – Rigoberto Rivas (Yellow Card – 47’)
CAN – Steven Vitória (Yellow Card – 62’)
HON – Carlos Pineda (Yellow Card – 81’)
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