loyola Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 ....I had to post that great story from sstackho : The day we beat a 10-man Martinique team. --------- I am reliving the drama and emotion of what must be one of, if not the proudest moment of all Canadian soccer fans. The time the boys from our humble little country heroically came from behind to defeat the daunting, intimidating, fearful, formidable, arduous, onerous and minacious Martiniquians. Imagine, if you will, a Saturday night in Miami, back in January 2002. Our ramshackle squad consisted of Lars Hirschfeld in net (back when he had hair), Mark Rogers, Tony Menezes, Jason De Vos, Paul Stalteri, Davide Xausa, Jim Brennan, Daniel Imhof, Richard Hastings and Kevin McKenna. The Canadians were mere boys, facing the Martinique squad featuring stars such as Lupon, Reuperne, and of course, Huerlie. The match begins, and it takes all of the Canadians' efforts to make it to half-time with the score still level at 0-0. The mastermind Osieck has analyzed the Martiniquians play in the first half, and devises a gameplan that he feels just...might...work against their opponent. But alas, Osieck was no match for the Martinique manager, who had his own tricks up his sleeve. To start the second half, Martinique substitute Agathine in for Bullet, immediately rendering Osieck's plans ineffective. Osieck panics, and removes Menezes for De Rosario in the 54th minute. Guatemalan referee Carlos "Blind as a" Batres takes pity on the poor Canadians, and in the 61st minute sends off Jean-Victor Latril for a tackle on Imhof - which IMHO warrants a comment on Imhof's name. Mark Rogers gets terribly excited at this turn of events, and immediately puts the ball in his own net to give 10-man Martinique the lead that everyone was expecting. But did the Canadians quit when facing such an uphill battle? Hell no. Jimmy Brennan runs down the wing and randomly lobs the ball into the box, and luckily finds the head of Li'l Kevin McKenna who manages to climb above the towering defenders to put the ball in. Game on. Now the Canadians start to believe in themselves. They feel that today could be the day they manage to pull off one of the greatest upsets of all time. They perservere, and defend against the onslaught of the mighty Martinique offense - even managing to create a chance of their own, only to be called back for offside. After 90 minutes, the whistle is blown, and this epic match goes into extra time. During extra time, as the Canadian players become fatigued against their unstoppable opponents, Osieck is forced to make more changes - replacing Xausa with Julian De Guzman and Imhof with Tam Nsaliwa. Against all odds, the Canadians manage to hold out until the final whistle. At least now they may have a chance in the lottery of penalty kicks. However, they are well aware that Martiniques rank among the best penalty kick takers of soccer-playing land masses that do not have FIFA status. But the Canadians are not going to go down without a fight. Martinique is up first, and Lupon scores easily. McKenna steps up for Canada, and is dwarfed by the the keeper Huerlie, but he manages to put the ball in. Clement scores for Martinique, and now it's Jimmy Brennan's turn for Canada. But he shoots wide, and is immediately cut from Canada's WCQ 2006 semifinal round squad. DiCanot scores Martinique's 3rd, and DeRosario squeaks one by for Canada. Mirande continues the rout for Martinique, and now Tsaliwa must score to keep Canada alive. And he does. This sets up what could be the final shot of the game. None other than Reuperne for Martinique to win it, and finally snuff out this gutsy, yet outgunned Canadian team. Hirschfeld gives Reuperne his best stare, but he looks about as threatening as that kid from Silverchair. Hirschfeld stands tall. The stadium falls silent. Time seems to stand still. A hawk flies silently overhead. The referee blows his whistle. Reuperne shoots, and the ball soars into the stands. The Canadians have a chance. Captain De Vos steps up and coolly slots his shot home. Sudden Death. This match officially enters the record books as the Greatest Match Of All Time In All Sport. The Martiniquians are still so confident that they will beat the Canadians that they send their keeper Huerlie to take the shot, on which he scores easily. Canada counters with Paul Stalteri, who keeps the Canadians alive with a goal. A dehydrated and confused Hirschfeld has to helped towards the goal line for Martinique's next shot. Lina starts his run-up, Hirschfeld falls over and distracts Lina such that his shot bounces off the post. The Canadians actually have a chance to win it. Jason Bent draws the shortest straw and comes up to take the shot that could win it. He locks eyes with Huerlie for a solid five minutes. The referee blows his whistle. Bent steps up, and hits The Shot Heard Around The World, winning it for Canada. Bent pumps his fists in celebration, and is immediately cut from Canada's WCQ 2006 squad. They had done it. The boys from Canada had done the unthinkable. They beat the Mighty Mighty Martinique. Ten-man Martinique. I learned something that day. That was the day I learned that anything is possible, if you want it badly enough. Not a day passes without me thinking about what that Canadian team had to overcome. When I must face tough challenges in my life, I just think about January 26, 2002, and I know, that anything is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I was wondering when someone was going to post that. One of the all-time V's classics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I'm going to upload the game. I'm encoding it right now. Hopefully I'll have it up by midnight tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I know this is probably a lost cause, but any chance of even a choppy stream for Wednesday's game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speedmonk42 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 That was fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I assume that Wednesday's match is the beginning of a sexennial tradition to honour The Greatest Match Of All Time In All Sport. I hope we get to host in 2014! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Feel free to re-live the magic: http://canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14505 The penalty kick portion is worth waiting for the download if you haven`t seen it. The drama is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 quote:Originally posted by sstackho I assume that Wednesday's match is the beginning of a sexennial tradition to honour The Greatest Match Of All Time In All Sport. I hope we get to host in 2014! My sources have told me that Jason Bent will play the first minute for Canada to commemorate the event, he will be allowed to walk up the field with the ball and score the first goal. DM will then ask Mark Rogers to score in his own goal to show respect to Martinique. Both players will then be substitute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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