Joe05 Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 WALTHAM, Mass. (CP) _ Holger Osieck had hoped to find some answers about the Canadian soccer team at the Gold Cup. Instead he leaves with questions, and some nagging concerns about the future of his program as World Cup qualifying looms in early 2004. The CONCACAF championship demonstrated once again Canada's small pool of talent and lack of attacking options. The Canadians also showed a distressing lack of focus, failing to take Osieck's warning to heart that the Cubans were not a walkover. The end result was a surprise win and a disappointing loss _ which turned into a first-round exit, for the first time since 1996. While the Canadians won the tournament in 2000 and finished third in 2003, it is worth remembering that on both those occasions the team needed lady luck to survive the first round. In 2000, it was a coin toss with South Korea and in 2003 a lottery with Ecuador and Haiti. A different outcome in those and a first-round exit at the tournament would be par for the course for the Canadians. But Canada won out both times and that good fortune has helped create expectations for the national team program. So what went wrong this time? The new summer scheduling for the Gold Cup did not help the Canadian cause since its European-based players were out of season. Midfielder Jason Bent was forced out after one game because of blisters, a common pre-season injury. The layoff was even worse for players like defender Richard Hastings, who has seen little action with his Austrian side Graz AK. Short of game fitness, Hastings was exposed by the opposition and committed a giveaway that led to a costly goal against Cuba. There were worrying cracks in the Canadian backline and captain Jason deVos clearly needs a reliable partner at the centre of defence. It used to be Tony Menezes but his club fortunes have been up and down in recent years. Just tracking him down is hard apparently _ is he in Brazil, China? _ and does not keep in regular contact with Canadian team officials. Canada and Cuba also had less favourable schedules than Costa Rica, playing games on just one day's rest. Costa Rica had three days off between matches. ``The way the tournament is scheduled, with the rest days, has to change,'' said Costa Rican coach Steve Sampson. ``That impacts all the results. You could see how it impacted Canada against Cuba. You could see how it impacted Cuba against us. . . . I think Canada, if they had been rested, would have played much differently against Cuba.'' Without injured strikers Tomasz Radzinski and Dwayne De Rosario, Osieck was forced to play Kevin McKenna and Paul Stalteri up front. Both normally play defensive roles with their European clubs. While McKenna has six goals for Canada and Stalteri scored against Costa Rica, neither is a natural finisher. Canada managed 23 shots in the tournament _ 13 on target _ and scored once. The lack of a creative force in midfield _ or a schemer as Osieck likes to call it, pointing to American Claudio Reyna as an example _ remains a problem. When was the last time you saw a Canadian midfielder hold up, scan the field and hit a player with an accurate pass? Daniel Imhof and Nick Dasovic occupied holding positions in the central midfield, more concerned about defence than offence. They are destroyers, not creators. That puts the offensive onus on the wings and Canada didn't deliver there. McKenna's attacking talent is primarily in the air and he did not get good service from the flanks. While Bent performed well against Costa Rica, 20-year-old replacement Maycoll Canizalez did not rise to the occasion against Cuba. Martin Nash, one of the few attack-minded players on the side, also did not deliver the quality of cross he is capable of. The early tournament exit also raises the issue of player selection. Jim Brennan was allowed to stay back in England with his new club side Norwich City. He was missed, although some in the Canadian set-up seem less enthused these days about what the winger brings to the table. Young midfielders Julian de Guzman and Tam Nsaliwa were also left with their club sides in Germany. While both are a little over their heads in the senior set-up at this stage, they offer pace _ and in de Guzman's case _ some offensive trickery off the bench. But Osieck declined to summon them, saying neither seemed too keen on leaving their club during pre-season. It's safe to say none of the players who did come here were happy about abandoning their club sides during pre-season when jobs are won and reputations forged. So why give Brennan, de Guzman and Nsaliwa a free pass? Plus there's the ever-present issue of Radzinski, who is coming back from a groin injury but has a spotty history of showing up for Canada. Osieck said the striker's Belgian doctor had forbidden the player to start training until June 15, a date that was just weeks before the start of the national team training camp. But, among some players, the belief exists that there are different rules for different players. Other selection questions concern winger Ante Jazic and striker Paul Peschisolido. Injuries have interrupted Jazic's national team career, but there seemed no explanation why he wasn't here. And Peschisolido and Osieck seem locked in an ongoing clash of egos that is denying Canada a veteran striker who can still score a goal or two. On a positive note, goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld returned from a four-month injury absence and was as sharp as ever. At 24, Hirschfeld really is the first name on the Canadian lineup sheet. Chris Pozniak (Orebro, Sweden) looked promising for a 22-year-old defender and 18-year-old midfielder-forward Iain Hume (Tranmere, England) showed he is one to watch in the future. Osieck acknowledged that in a perfect world both would probably be developing their game at the Olympic under-23 team rather than the senior side. The coach also praised Nevio Pizzolitto, a defender who did not see action but performed well in training. Here's hoping that the youngsters don't learn some of their colleagues' antics. While Stalteri earned points for not going to the ground for a penalty against Cuba, his histrionics continue to leave a sour taste in the mouth. This Canadian team seems to lack a player who can take charge off the pitch when needed, someone who can rally the troops and shake some sense into some of its players. DeVos is the captain, a hard-nosed defender who leads by example on the pitch. But away from the field, he keeps to himself. As for the coach himself, Osieck receives a passing grade for managing a win over Costa Rica _ although the Central Americans shot themselves in the foot with their poor finishing. But Osieck's marks plummeted in the second game. It's a coach's responsibility to prepare a side and while he insisted he warned the Canadian players about the dangers of Cuba, his message obviously did not get through. Canada also failed at set pieces, a side of the game Osieck rarely seems to worry about in practice. The Canadians had 14 corners in two games and created only a few chances off them, despite the presence of targetmen deVos and McKenna. Osieck's hope was that Canada could survive the first round and grow together. ``I thought the more games we had the opportunity to play would help us,'' he said. ``And I'm pretty confident that the third game on Saturday (the quarter-final) would have brought a different Canadian team on the pitch.'' We'll never know now. Canada's next game is in October against Finland in Helsinki and Osieck is looking for more tests before World Cup qualifying starts in February. Depending on Canada's draw and the players available, it could be a bumpy ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe05 Posted July 17, 2003 Author Share Posted July 17, 2003 Neil makes an excellent point about Canada's previous fortune in the Gold Cup. This really could have been their 3rd straight 1st round exit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Whoa, great article. I just wish I had an explanation for the lack of Pesch, when Osieck complains so much about not having strikers available... --- 'Shawn' on the old board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrek Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Great great article, a lot of insight and in-depth look at the problems Canada is facing. Kudos to Neil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 That's a very well written and well thought out analysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I agree with most of the article, but I still insist that our luck balanced out last time around. Remember, we had a goal called back for a fictional offisde in one match and gave up a goal on a handball in the other. Bad luck on the pitch and good luck drawing lots. I'd like to see someone point that out in print someday. Otherwise, it was a nice critique of the team and an interesting look at some of the player's interaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimglow Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Joe05 Neil makes an excellent point about Canada's previous fortune in the Gold Cup. This really could have been their 3rd straight 1st round exit Good grief. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. Never mind a championship ring and a 3rd place finish. What REALLY counts is that we squeezed through the first round. Come on people. Good teams need luck. This version of the Nats did not have it against Cuba. Plain and simple. 23 shots in two matches is a pretty good return for a team that is traditionally defensive. Mimglow, Ottawa _________________________ You are the witness of change And to counteract We gotta take the power back Rage Against The Machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I think we need a fit, natural striker more than luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Interesting comments by Sampson. He actually seemed to be giving us some slack re. the loss to Cuba. His point is probably valid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Joe05 Jim Brennan was allowed to stay back in England with his new club side Norwich City. He was missed, although some in the Canadian set-up seem less enthused these days about what the winger brings to the table. What the hell is this supposed to mean? Brennan is awesome. He carves open opposition defences like a brand-new set of shinsu knives. His crosses are like laser beams. His shots are like cannons. He can even play defence! He shouldn't just be penciled into our lineup every time we play, his name should be written in permanent magic marker. This cryptic comment worries me deeply... Mike D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimglow Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I think Jim Brennan is too busy as a VJ for Muchmusic (Rick the Temp). Mozes Znaimer needs to think of his country before his video network. Mozes, do it for Canada. Holger tries real hard to not ask for Brennan during sweeps - return the favor will ya? Come on, I'm not the only one who thinks they look alike? Am I? Mimglow, Ottawa _________________________ You are the witness of change And to counteract We gotta take the power back Rage Against The Machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Wow, Mr. Davidson is on fire with yet another great introspective article. Imagine if Canada had made a run to the semis, we would have been rewarded by even more quality journalism. Unfortunately, I sure the men’s soccer issue will be put on the backburner for the next few months. It looks like Neil agrees with Jeffrey S. that our squad is lacking a take charge player. Maybe JDG will be the answer? The quote that piqued my curiosity the most was directed at Jim Brennen. Apparently, “…some in the Canadian set-up seem less enthused these days about what the winger brings to the table”. Does that mean that Jazic is in and Brennen out? Will Jim end up on the out like Paul, Fernando and Mark? Doesn’t Holger understand that the wider the player pool the more power he commands? Would those who skipped out on the Gold Cup have done that if they new that they could lose their spot on the national team? But I don’t place all the blame on Holger’s shoulders. Players, like JDG, Brennen and Tam must be held accountable for their actions. Are they committed to Canada? WCQ is starting in a year but they can’t be bothered to show up for an important tune-up such as the Gold Cup. We so rarely get to play and train together for long periods of time. They missed a great opportunity to work together and create chemsitry. They also insulted all the players who risked their spots in Europe to come to the Gold Cup. "A pretty move, for the love of God." Eduardo Galeano Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 At risk of sounding like a ruthless defensive minded coach, if Holger was so impressed by Pizzolito in practice and winning was the only objective..... why didn't Holger go with 3 central defenders? It pains me to say this but we only needed a tie and probably would have been ok with a 1-0 loss... playing 3 central defenders and giving the players strict instructions not to allow a goal... might have acheived a better result.. Holger would have been criticized (by me too no doubt) but we may have made it through to the next round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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