Canada - Costa Rica Pre-Match Thread

Reza · October 11, 2004

Ok, this is the Thread for the big match in Vancouver.

Any news reports on this match right now?

Has the team arrived? Have they had their first practice? I would imagine they got there last night and probably will be hitting the pitch sometimes today.

Reza · October 11, 2004

Well,since there is nothing going on, here is a clip from the CR news papers..Looks like the Ticos left home yesterday:

http://www.elheraldo.net/

Anyone who has login access to these sites, do some translation please:...

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/costaric.htm

Massive Attack · October 11, 2004

La Prensa Libre and Diario Extra are two Costa Rican newspapers with free access. Here are a couple of articles in Spanish:

http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/11/deportes06.php

http://www.diarioextra.com/2004/octubre/11/deportes04.shtml

http://www.diarioextra.com/2004/octubre/11/deportes08.shtml

Reza · October 11, 2004

Well here are some online translations...

Canada: nonapt for ticos

Vancouver, Canada. - Costa Rica has not had them all with himself when it visits Canadian land. In which it goes of history the Selection has played in two occasions in this earth and do not know what is the victory in eliminatory mundialistas. The first confrontation went way to World-wide of Mexico 86'. The ticos opened to the marker to 12' by interval of the Johnny player Williams. Nevertheless, they were even 58', thanks to the annotation of Paul James. The second confrontation in Canadian house was during Premundial of France 98'. In that opportunity Tricolor lost by the minim, after which Eddy Berdusco placed the ball in the networks. The Selection lived the bitter experience there to be almost discarded for the World-wide one. Now the ticos will play his third game Wednesday in Vancouver, with the mentality to remove a victory for the first time to break the myth. In the general balance sheet, Costa Rica and Canada have seen the faces in five opportunities, from which the equipment patrio has gained two victories, two ties and one defeat. The last confrontation between these two selections was carried out in the stage Ricardo Saprissa, 8 of September the last, way to the World-wide one of Germany 2006. Tricolor overcame 1-0 to the rojiblancos. Paulo Caesar Wanchope was the hero of the game, because in the first play of the complement the ram of the Malaga of Spain caught a closing impossible to repel on the part of the foreign goal.

Vancouver, Soccer Capital (looks like the Ticos have finally ended that longstanding arguement around here by announcing Vancouver as the soccer capital)

The Selection of Costa Rica will play in a very special city of extensive Canada: Vancouver, more well-known like the "Jewel of the Pacific" by its natural beauties. The west of the province of British Columbia is located in the coast. The picture patrio will play in the stage of Swangard, located in the locality of Burnaby, greater regional district of Vancouver. It is the first time that the ticos play an eliminatory party in this zone. The sport scene has the capacity to lodge 6,100 fans and in addition it is the house of the club of Whitecaps soccer. This equipment very is recognized in North America by the development that it has given to his leagues as much in men as in women. It is why Vancouver stands out being the capital of Canadian soccer, because it forms and mature players. In Swangard, Canada opened the eliminatory one towards Germany 2006 in August when it was moderate to Guatemala and it lost 2-0. With respect to the community of Burnaby, seat of the encounter of Wednesday, is characterized by its landscape of hills, alluvial level valleys and. The temperature by this time oscillates between the 9 and 15 degrees Celsius.

fza · October 11, 2004

Let me check those articles out..and translate them...!!

hamiltonfan · October 12, 2004

if we dont make it to the WC 2006, this will be a blow to Canadian Soccer. However, we can make it up with a gold cup win and the other cup that we would entre with the win. Plus more friends at HOME!! All is not bad, and plus it aint over yet!!

Massive Attack · October 12, 2004

deVos feels frustrated

By JIM MORRIS

BURNABY, B.C. (CP) - Watching Canada's hopes of advancing to the soccer's World Cup slowly deflate like a balloon punctured by a pin has been a painful experience for national team veteran Jason deVos.

What makes it hurt even more for the defender from London, Ont., is this is his final World Cup qualifying campaign.

"This is my last chance," deVos, 30, who plays for Ipswich Town in the English First Division, said Monday.

"I can't envision myself playing international football in six years when the next World Cup rolls around. This is it for me unfortunately."

A heartbreaking 1-1 tie against Honduras on Saturday means Canada must win its final two games - and get some help from other teams - if it hopes to advance to the next round of World Cup qualifying.

The first do-or-die match comes Wednesday night against Costa Rica at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Canada then plays Nov. 17 in Guatemala.

"The fact this is my last chance, it just hurts a lot more," said deVos, who has 48 international caps and was part of the Cinderella Canadian team that won the 2000 Gold Cup.

"Being in the position that we're in, it's a lot harder for me to stomach."

Canada has been the victim of some questionable refereeing, prompting Canadian Soccer Association president Andy Sharpe to lambaste what he called the most "incompetent officials" he's seen in his life.

But the team has also given up critical goals at pivotal moments.

Honduras tied Saturday's match in injury time. Costa Rica beat Canada 1-0 back on Sept. 9 with a quick goal to open the second half.

"That's where international experience has let us down," said deVos, who was forced to sit out the previous match against Costa Rica due to a suspension.

"When you're 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go you just don't lose a goal. You have to find a way to grind it out. We haven't done that."

With three points awarded for a victory, Guatemala leads the qualifying round with seven points from a 2-1-1 record. Costa Rica (2-2-0) and Honduras (1-0-3) both have six points while Canada (0-2-2) has just two.

Only the top two countries advance to the final round of World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

For the Canadians to finish second they not only need six points from two wins, they also must hope for the right mix of results from their rivals' games.

The Costa Ricans upset visiting Guatemala 5-0 Saturday, but Canadian coach Frank Yallop remains confident in his side.

"We know we are good enough to go through into the next round," said Yallop, who took over the reigns of the national team in January.

"A win on Wednesday night would throw it wide open. We feel confident we can do that if we get that little bit of luck we all need to succeed in soccer."'

Even though his side has its back to the wall, Yallop doubts it will make his players stiff or paranoid.

"They'll be loose," he said.

"Now we don't feel nerves because it doesn't really matter if we don't win. It gives you a different mind set.

"We have to go out and score. I think it frees up some people on how they are going to play. We'll still have good shape and not concede goals, hopefully."

DeVos, who made his international debut Aug. 19, 1997 against Iran, said if the Canadians lose, they'll go down fighting.

"We'll certainly be going for everything out there," he said.

"We know that nothing less than a victory is satisfactory for us. We know we have to win the game."

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2004/10/11/665267-cp.html

Daniel · October 12, 2004

"Now we don't feel nerves because it doesn't really matter if we don't win. It gives you a different mind set.

WTF does that mean?

Bertuzzi44 · October 12, 2004

quote:Originally posted by Reza

Well here are some online translations...

Canada: nonapt for ticos

Vancouver, Soccer Capital (looks like the Ticos have finally ended that longstanding arguement around here by announcing Vancouver as the soccer capital)

The Selection of Costa Rica will play in a very special city of extensive Canada: Vancouver, more well-known like the "Jewel of the Pacific" by its natural beauties. The west of the province of British Columbia is located in the coast. The picture patrio will play in the stage of Swangard, located in the locality of Burnaby, greater regional district of Vancouver. It is the first time that the ticos play an eliminatory party in this zone. The sport scene has the capacity to lodge 6,100 fans and in addition it is the house of the club of Whitecaps soccer. This equipment very is recognized in North America by the development that it has given to his leagues as much in men as in women. It is why Vancouver stands out being the capital of Canadian soccer, because it forms and mature players. In Swangard, Canada opened the eliminatory one towards Germany 2006 in August when it was moderate to Guatemala and it lost 2-0. With respect to the community of Burnaby, seat of the encounter of Wednesday, is characterized by its landscape of hills, alluvial level valleys and. The temperature by this time oscillates between the 9 and 15 degrees Celsius.

Well said[8D]

Cheeta · October 12, 2004

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

"Now we don't feel nerves because it doesn't really matter if we don't win. It gives you a different mind set.

WTF does that mean?

Please allow me to translate.

Frankie Yallop;

"We not going to qualify. And it's all Holger's fault."

Reza · October 12, 2004

Here is a couple more in Spanish:

http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/12/deportes01.php

http://www.diarioextra.com/2004/octubre/12/deportes01.shtml

Massive Attack · October 12, 2004

Stopping high-scoring Paulo Wanchope a key for Canada against Costa Rica

By JIM MORRIS

BURNABY, B.C. (CP) - Loping across the pitch, long thin legs churning and gangly arms flaying about, Costa Rican striker Paulo Wanchope looked like an awkward colt during practice Tuesday.

But looks can be very deceiving. The moment the ball arrived at his feet, Wanchope's movements became smooth and fluid. He eased past defenders then effortlessly launched a rocket of a shot into the back of the net.

Harnessing Wanchope will be one of the challenges Canada's national soccer team faces when it plays Costa Rica on Wednesday night in a do-or-die World Cup qualifying match.

A loss ends any hope Canada has of advancing to the next round of CONCACAF qualifying.

At six foot four and around 170 pounds, Wanchope is the straw that stirs Costa Rica's attack. He scored in a 1-0 win over Canada last month and had three goals in Saturday's 5-0 drubbing of Guatemala.

Playing a desperate Canadian team, at home in Swangard Stadium, Wanchope isn't expecting an easy match Wednesday.

"We have to see how Canada will come after us," said the former Manchester City star who now plays for Malaga in Spain.

"It will be a difficult game. They are home and they are a very organized team. We just have to play and concentrate from the defence to the forwards. We must be on our game."

Wanchope, 28, has scored 39 goals in 56 international games. He helped lead Costa Rica to their second World Cup in 2002 after a 12-year absence.

"He's unpredictable and gets you off balance," said Canadian coach Frank Yallop.

"He is very fast. His movements are quick and he's good in the air. We know he's a very dangerous player and have to be on top of our game to keep him quiet."

Talented enough to have played for three English clubs - Derby County, West Ham and Manchester City - Wanchope can also be erratic. He was considered a loose cannon while at West Ham and sometimes looks complacent or indifferent on the field.

Costa Rican skipper Jorge Luis Pinto praised Wanchope's recent performance.

"He has raised his level of play," Pinto said through an interpreter.

"It's very important to have that type of player, the type of player that scores goals."

While Canada is struggling not to sink out of the qualifying picture, Costa Rica also battled to keep its head above water.

The team barely scraped through the second round of qualifying following consecutive draws with Cuba and only advanced because it scored more away goals.

That resulted in American coach Steve Sampson being fired and replaced by Pinto, 51. He has coached clubs in Columbia, Costa Rica and Peru over 20 years.

Costa Rica also lost 2-1 to Guatemala and 5-2 to Honduras.

For a soccer-mad nation like Costa Rica, having a team knocked out early in World Cup qualifying would be like Canada failing to advance to the Olympic hockey tournament.

"There are a lot of comments from the people, from the press but we are used to it," said Wanchope."We are passionate about football. We have to live with that."

Guatemala leads the semifinal qualifying round with seven points from a 2-1-1 record. Costa Rica (2-2-0) and Honduras (1-0-3) are tied with six points. Canada (0-2-2) is last with two points.

Only the top two advance to the final round of qualifying in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Wanchope said his side is finding its game.

"When you play a lot of games the players gain more confidence," he said."Physically we improved and that's the key."

Many members of the Canadian team play professional soccer overseas, meaning they have to leave their club teams for international matches.

Wanchope faces the same dilemma, flying from Spain.

"It is hard," he agreed."There are many hours flying. When you play for a national team you have to sacrifice yourself. When you have the passion to go to the World Cup, you can do it."

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2004/10/12/666382-cp.html

Daniel · October 13, 2004

I'm starting to get annoyed at these hockey comparisons, none of which are truly accurate. And btw, "ColOmbia", not "ColUmbia".

jonesy55 · October 13, 2004

Are we in the East, going to get a game summary, like the Spanish lads did for us in the Can./Hon. game??

There is no TV until 1:00am in the East.

Is there any radio coverage for this match???

The Ref · October 13, 2004

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

I'm starting to get annoyed at these hockey comparisons, none of which are truly accurate. And btw, "ColOmbia", not "ColUmbia".

atta boy!

sstackho · October 13, 2004

Sports

SOCCER: WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Canadians upbeat despite odds; Facing elimination, team sees progress

GRANT KERR

724 words

13 October 2004

The Globe and Mail

S3

English

BURNABY, B.C.

There was little hint during practice on a bright, sunny morning at Swangard Stadium that the Canadian men's soccer team is on the brink of elimination in the tedious run-up to the 2006 World Cup soccer tournament.

The lads, as soccer coaches often call players, were chipper and in good spirits yesterday, despite a lack of success, including a heartbreaking 1-1 away draw with Honduras on a late injury-time goal by the home team last weekend.

Canada has only two ties from four games during this round of qualifications and must defeat Costa Rica tonight to have even a glimmer of hope to reach the final elimination stage before the World Cup in Germany.

Canadian players are anything but downcast, though, mostly because they believe success is much closer under new coach Frank Yallop.

“There's a lot of progress being made,” said goalkeeper Pat Onstad, 37, the Canadian captain. “Unfortunately it's coming in games two, three and four instead of game one of qualifying. Hopefully we can build on that.

“It would be really disappointing if we can't at least make that last game on Nov. 17 [in Guatemala City] matter.”

Yallop has been on the job for 10 months after leaving San Jose of the Major Soccer League to take over national team responsibilities. Canada plunged to 99th in the world rankings in the summer, but somehow rose to 95th last month without winning internationally.

“It's a good, young team and a team with a very bright future,” Onstad said. “But [two wins over] Belize [the previous round] was not the preparation we needed to prepare for Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.

“Had Frank Yallop maybe had another six months to have the nucleus of this team together, I think it would have made a big difference. He's a tremendous coach, but most importantly he's an honest individual. Guys know their roles on this team when they come in.

“It's not a question of trying to figure out what's happening. You pretty much know what you're doing and he makes it very clear. Even though we're at the bottom of the group . . . he tries to keep things very positive and that helps, especially with the younger players.”

The Canadians have their work cut out tonight after losing 1-0 earlier in Costa Rica, which then won 5-0 against Guatemala.

“I definitely believe we can win [tonight] and beat Guatemala away from home,” said midfielder Tomasz Radzinski, 30, whose positive attitude toward the national program has been a breakthrough of sorts.

“We have created more chances than it shows. It's not a big miracle that we need. It's just a little bit more hard work.

“Frank makes it easy to progress. If you feel confident that the coaching staff is doing the best possible job and everybody's working as a unit, you definitely enjoy it. I think after I finish [playing], I'm going to start helping this country become a soccer nation.”

Radzinski wants to coach at the youth development level because he feels that's when many young Canadians leave soccer for other sports.

Yallop, 40, once played for Canada and enhanced his coaching credentials by taking San Jose to the MSL championship. He earned further respect from his players by taking the high road over controversial officiating in Honduras, insisting his team should have defended a 1-0 lead.

“We've got some good, fine young players that want to do well and would love to get together to play more games,” Yallop said. “They all play in Europe and they all have their clubs to go back to . . .

“[but] we can't worry about what's gone on before. We've just got to move on and keep looking forward to trying to win this game. We don't dwell on what might have been, what could have been. Our guys are loose and desperate to do well. We're about due to win a game.”

Group standing

Guatemala 2-1-1 7

Costa Rica 2-2-0 6

Honduras 1-0-3 6

Canada 0-2-2 2

sstackho · October 13, 2004

Canada's lack of scoring may cost World Cup qualifying bid: No luck with officials: Must win two in a row and count on help from other teams

Dan Stinson

CanWest News Service

462 words

13 October 2004

National Post

Toronto / Late

S4

English

There was little room for error at the outset of Canada's World Cup soccer qualifying schedule back in mid-August. And now -- four games, two ties and two losses later -- there is none.

No room for a tied result, much less a loss.

No room for near-miss or disallowed goals, which have been frustratingly familiar themes running through Canada's CONCACAF zone Group B semi-final schedule of games to date.

No room for anything but victory in the maple leaf-clad lads' two remaining matches on the long and difficult road to the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany.

With its hopes for a berth in the global spectacle hanging by the barest of threads, Canada resumes zone qualifying tonight at Swangard Stadium with a must-win game against Costa Rica, knowing that even the right result against the Central American visitors won't be enough for a ticket to the final round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region.

Canada must also defeat Guatemala Nov. 17 in Guatemala City and hope for the correct mix of results from their rivals' remaining games to secure one of the group's two berths in the final round.

"I would be concerned if the team wasn't playing well and not creating scoring chances, but that hasn't been the case in recent games," Canada's head coach Frank Yallop said yesterday after a training session at the Burnaby facility. "We've had chances to score in those games, but the final touch and finish in the last third of the pitch hasn't been there. What we have to do in our remaining games is convert those scoring chances into goals."

For one reason or another, goals have been hard to come by for Yallop's charges. Canada kicked off group qualifying with a lacklustre 2-0 loss to Guatemala on Aug. 18 at Swangard, then had to settle for a 1-1 tie against Honduras Sept. 4 at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, where an apparently legitimate second goal by striker Olivier Occean was called back.

Canada's 1-0 road loss to Costa Rica on Sept. 8 was followed by another controversial 1-1 draw with Honduras last Saturday in San Pedro Sula, where striker Dwayne de Rosario's second goal for Canada was disallowed on a phantom foul and the Hondurans equalized in injury time.

All of which has resulted in Canada's last-place record in the group standings -- and Canadian Soccer Association president Andy Sharpe lambasting game officials as "incompetent."

(The Vancouver Sun)

jonovision · October 13, 2004

What time is kickoff? Or, perhaps more importantly, what time will people be posting about the game on this message board? I am over in Europe right now, so I need to know when to set my alarm clock.

youllneverwalkalone · October 13, 2004

quote:Originally posted by jonovision

What time is kickoff? Or, perhaps more importantly, what time will people be posting about the game on this message board? I am over in Europe right now, so I need to know when to set my alarm clock.

I believe 3:00AM in Holland for a 7:00PM PST kick-off.

jonovision · October 13, 2004

4AM actually, it is a 7 hour time difference to my hometown (Winnipeg), so it is a 9-hour difference to Lotusland. That's awfully early though. Since I don't get TV in any case, maybe I'll just tune in for the post-mortem.

youllneverwalkalone · October 13, 2004

--------------Onstad--------------

-------Watson----------DeVos------

Hutchinson----------------------Jazic

---------------Imhof---------------

--------------Grande---------------

Hume----------------------DeGuzman

------Radzinski-------DeRosario------

Any comments on the likelihood and/or success of this starting eleven/formation?

Daniel · October 13, 2004

It was the starting 11 in Honduras, it'll probably be in VanCity.

jonovision · October 13, 2004

I wouldn't mind Occean replacing DeRosario in the starting 11. I saw both of his UEFA Cup matches for Odd Grenland against Feyenoord and he seemed the type of physical presence that could intimidate a Central American team without lacking in skill. His goal in the 2nd game was well taken (takes a short through-ball that beats an offside trap, then coolly walks around the goalie and slots in the ball), but he was more impressive overall in the 1st. I think we all know what DeRosario has to offer and I feel that what he brings is better in smaller doses coming in late off the bench.

beachesl · October 13, 2004

Iloilo_Trip_07.07.04_-_36.jpg