This Day in Football from 10-16 December

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 11 December 1983
Canada falls 1:3 to Honduras in an away Men’s International Friendly match. George Pakos scores the lone goal for Canada. Teenager Randy Samuel makes his debut for Canada.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 11 December 1987
Canada wins 2:0 over Hong Kong in the opening match of the Chinese Cup 1987, a World Invitational Women’s Tournament. Michele Houchen scores both goals in the win. Goalkeeper Carla Chin posts a clean sheet in her official debut at the international “A” level. Of note, the tournament opener comes just two weeks after teammate Gunn Baldursson dies.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 12 December 2003
Canada falls 1:2 a.e.t. to Spain in the quarter-final phase of the FIFA U-20 World Cup UAE 2003. Andrés Iniesta scores the opening goal in the 35th minute before Iain Hume equalizes in the 53rd minute. Down to 10 men, Spain scores the winning goal in extra time (Arizmendi 95’) and holds on for a 2:1 victory to knock off Canada.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 14 December 1978
Canada qualifies for the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time in Association history. Canada qualifies with a 4:0 victory over Costa Rica at the 1978 CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship. David McCaig, Ian Bridge, Lajos Nagy and Branko Segota score for Canada. It marks the first time Canada has qualified for a FIFA tournament.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 14 December 1983
Canada falls 0:1 to Honduras in an away Men’s International Friendly match in Tegucigalpa. Dave Norman makes his debut for Canada.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 15 December 1996
Canada wins 2:0 over El Salvador in an away FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match in San Salvador. Mark Watson and Alex Bunbury score goals in the second half while Craig Forrest posts a clean sheet.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 15 December 2010
Canada draws 0:0 with Brazil at the II Torneio Internacional in São Paulo, BRA. Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé is excellent, posting a clean sheet in the draw.