Toronto (Canada), June 27 (EFE) Concacaf, which was played this Tuesday in Toronto.
Guadalupe equalized in stoppage time thanks to an own goal from Jacen Russell Rowe, two minutes before the referee, American Rubiel Vázquez, declared the game over.
Russell-Rowe’s goal, in his first game for Guadeloupe, silenced the tens of thousands of Canadian fans who packed BMO Field in Toronto.
Canada, number 47 in the FIFA rankings and who started as big favorites against the Guadeloupe team, had problems from the start of the game to take control of the match.
Canadian coach John Herdman had to add many new additions to the roster as some of his best players, including Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alistair Johnston and Ismaël Koné, were unavailable.
In the first 20 minutes of the match, Guadeloupe easily dominated Canada. The fruit of this dominance came the first goal of the game, after a pass from Jordan Leborgne to Thierry Ambrose who, after beating defender Steven Vitoria, fired a shot past veteran goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
Ambrose’s goal further frustrated the Canadians who were struggling to control the Guadeloupe forwards.
In the second half, Canada’s play improved. A minute into the second half, the referee conceded and then canceled a penalty in favor of the hosts.
Finally, in the 49th minute, Lucas Cavallini equalized by converting a pass from Junior Hoilett. The goal allowed Canada to establish their game even more and in the 71st minute the home side took a 2-1 lead thanks to an own goal from Meddy Lina.
Canada was happy with the result and tried to go over the time limit. But those of Guadalupe did not give up.
The referee added five minutes to regulation time and with two minutes remaining, a dangerous counter-attack by Luther Archimede resulted in a free kick at the edge of Borjan’s area.
After the kick, Russell Rowe attempted to clear the ball but only managed an own goal which left the game at 2-2.
Technical sheet
2. Canada: Milan Borjan; Zac McGraw, Steven Vitoria, Kamal Miller; Richie Laryea (Dominick Zato, m.90), Moise Bombito (Liam Fraser, m.64), Jonathan Osorio, Ali Ahmed; Junior Hoilett (Charles Brym, m.65), Lucas Cavallini (Jacen Russell Rowe, m.81), Liam Millar (Jacob Shaffelburg, m.65).
Coach: John Herdman
2. Guadeloupe: Davy Rouyard; Mickaël Alphonse, Meddy Lina, Cédric Avinel, Anthony Baron; Johan Rotsen, Andreaw Gravillon (Quentin Annette, m.84); Jordan Tell (Nathanael Saintini, m.70), Jordan Leborgne (Ange Plumain, m.70), Matthias Phaeton (Luther Archimede, m.84); Thierry Ambrose.
Trainer: Jocelyne Angloma.
Referee: American Rubiel Vázquez. He admonished the Canadians Cavallini and Vitoria as well as the Guadeloupean Gravillon.
Goals: 0-1, m.23: Ambroise. 1-1, m.49: Cavallini. 2-1, m.70: Meddy Lina (own goal). 2-2, m.93: Russell Rowe (own goal).
Incidents: Concacaf Gold Cup Group D Round 1 match, played at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada.
(c) EFE Agency
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