It took Japan nine minutes to find it in Canada. The Canadians took the rest of the game to show that they have power too. Thursday’s 2-1 win for Canada — a final tune-up for both teams before they begin their World Cup campaigns in Qatar — didn’t exactly happen in a pot. At the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai there were perhaps a thousand fans. The evening air was warm and still and not electric. Even without nerves or pressure, the countless tiny caresses that exist between Canada’s best players and the world’s best began to unfold. WATCHES | Lucas Cavallini scores the winner in the penalty shootout:
Cavallini’s late penalty kick wins Canada in final pre-World Cup friendly
Richie Laryea equalized with a penalty in stoppage time and Lucas Cavallini’s “Panenka” penalty kick gave Canada a 2-1 win in their international friendly over Japan in Dubai. Canada’s next match is on November 23 against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup. Milan Borjan, the goalkeeper who guided Canada to their epic qualifying run with stellar saves and charismatic leadership, has a fundamental flaw. He’s not good with his feet. Before the Canadians had a chance to find their rhythm, he fended off the takedown, failing to make it to the half. Head coach John Herdman, walking down the sideline, stopped his perpetual motion to tell Borjan to calm down. The Japanese had already installed their precision meter. They cut into the middle of the pitch and Yuki Soma neatly handled a long ball and headed home. Japan’s Yuki Soma celebrates after scoring against Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan in a friendly match on Thursday. (Christopher Pike/Associated Press) That’s how the game works at this level. It is designed to expose everything for you. On this night, he also happened to reveal the size of Canadian hearts. After a quick regrouping, they responded to their early deficit in the 21st minute. Steven Vitoria headed home a corner that was uncharacteristically missed by the Japanese. TARGET! Steven Vitoria equalizes from the corner! 🍁 Atiba welcomespic.twitter.com/qHBxVx1EPO —@CanadaSoccerEN Everyone makes mistakes. And in the dying moments of the second half, deep into added time, the Japanese scored one more. Richie Laryea fell in the box and the Canadians were awarded a penalty in the last minute that would decide the game. Lucas Cavallini fought to get it. It wasn’t the obvious choice. Jonathan David, who scores almost at will in Ligue 1, was standing next to him. Cavallini – El Tanke to his teammates – ended up with the ball. Herdman looked at the rest of his team, now joining him on the touchline. “If he tries a Panenka, I’ll kill him,” he said. WATCHES | Soccer North: Can Canada get out of the group stage?
Soccer North: Can Canada get out of the group stage in Qatar?
Host Andi Petrillo brings you the biggest news from Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams. Cavallini, in fact, took a Panenka, hitting a light, spinning chip down the middle. The Japanese keeper was down enough for Cavallini’s ill-fated mischief, diving to his left before reaching back in vain to his right, the ball spinning off his glove and into the net. “I don’t know,” Herdman said afterward, bringing his hands to his face, able to laugh off his premonition just because the ball went in. “Just put her in the corner. I don’t know why we have to do this thing. All I can say is, it’s the new Canada, huh?” Canadian coach John Herdman shouts during a friendly soccer match between Canada and Japan in Dubai, Thursday. (Christopher Pike/Associated Press) It was an improbable, happy ending to a chaotic, apocalyptic match — and the result shouldn’t obscure this team’s mistakes. There is a difference between good and great, between a high priest and a veteran. It is real, and it exists. But sometimes in life, and especially for this group, some perfect combination of grit and luck momentarily fills the gap. It is unlikely that Canada’s magical run will continue beyond next week. Herdman knows this. He understands better than most that you can ignore reality for so long. A win is a win, and he’ll take Thursday’s triumph along with every other moment in the sun his team is going to enjoy. “Sober then,” he said. “And it’s clear. The second best team in the world is waiting for us.” He was talking about Belgium, the first of Canada’s formidable opponents. Then comes Croatia—two teams that are supposed to beat Canada. They are better in every way. They will almost certainly accomplish what Japan couldn’t and send Canada home. If they do, that’s okay. This is the natural and proper order of things. The only tragedy will be if the Canadians fail to take advantage of the one opportunity they know they will have in Qatar: to stand alongside the greatest players on Earth for the first time in 36 years and settle it the next time they meet. they will rely less on good luck and more on themselves. Episode 4 of Soccer North lands Friday on CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports YouTube channel.
