U-17 Development Team Tie in Mexico

[Massive Attack]

Men's Junior (U-17) Development Team

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Juniors Tie Tecos 2-2

Guadalajara, Mexico - On tour for the first time, the Boys U15 (1989) are in Guadalajara, Mexico and after a week long camp, opened the first of three games with a 2-2 tie at the youth academy of the Mexican professional club of Tecos. The Boys competed against their U16 (1988) squad.

Following a quick attacking play down the right side on a through ball from Shaun Saiko for a shot on goal by Josh Bennett, Todd Rutledge capitalized on a defensive error in the 12 minute on a pass from the goalkeeper to the fullback to put Canada in front.

Tecos stepped up the pressure on the Canadian Boys to equalize but Jaswinder Gill came up with two brilliant saves to keep the score sheet clean heading into the changeroom at half-time.

Tecos made a number of changes at half-time and continued to pressure and in the 64 minute capitalized on a header from a cross from the left wing.

The Boys did not panic and in the 84 minute Marcus Haber headed in a corner from Derek Gaudet. Four other opportunites were missed which could have sealed their first win.

The Boys did not hold the lead for to long and in the 92 minute another goal was scored from a cross from the left wing.

"Though these teams are a little bit older, we struggled physically and failed to capitalize on our lead in the closing minutes of the game and were punished for it" said Stephen Hart.

Canada's U15 Boys will play Chivas (The Peoples Club) on Wednesday and Atlas on Friday to close out their tour.

Canada: 1-Jaswinder Gill; 2-Marinko Maras; 3-Alex Suprenant; 4-Nana Attakora; 5-Marcus Haber; 6-Michael Periera; 7-Todd Rutledge; 8-Shaun Saiko (14-Fabrice Lassonde, 56); 9-Derek Gaudet; 10-Josh Bennett (13-Sean Rosa, 56); 11-Gabe Gala

Subs not used: 12-Christian Seon; 15-Carlos Fernandez; 16-Eddie Sidra; 17-Michael Abrulaz; 22-Igor Kasic.

http://canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=1970