Canada come from behind to earn first-ever win against Japan ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team scored a late penalty winner to earn a 2:1 win over Japan in their last pre-tournament international test before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Down 0-1 after Yuki Soma opened the scoring for Japan, Steven Vitória and Lucas Cavallini were the Canadian goalscorers while Junior Hoilett earned Player of the Match honours in his milestone 50th international appearance.

Next up, Canada will play in their opening group stage match at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on Wednesday 23 November against Belgium.

Japan opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but that goal was followed by the Vitória shot in the 21st minute. Cavallini then scored the winner in the 95th minute after Richie Laryea was fouled in the box.

“It was a good performance tonight against one of the top technical teams,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “We showed our commitment to push and try to get the goal which we did. It was a proud moment for us.”

Fullback Alistair Johnston set a Men’s National Team record by making his 28th consecutive international appearance over the past two years, surpassing the previous record set by former captain Bruce Wilson from 1984 to 1986.

MATCH CENTRE & MATCH REPORT : https://canadasoccer.com/national-team-match-live/?matchId=3302#newsfeed_section

Canada will compete in Group F against Belgium, Croatia and Morocco at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Their opening match will be against Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium 22.00 local (14.00 ET / 11.00 PT) on Wednesday 23 November. They will then play Croatia at Khalifa Int’l Stadium 19.00 local (11.00 ET / 8.00 PT) on Sunday day 27 November. They will then finish their group stage match against Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium 18.00 local (10.00 ET /7.00 PT) on Thursday 1 December.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team is the reigning Kings of Concacaf, having finished first overall in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from September 2021 to March 2022. It marked the third time that Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team won a Concacaf title, having previously won the 1985 Concacaf Championship and the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada now looks forward to their second participation at the men’s FIFA World Cup with group matches against Belgium on 23 November, Croatia on 27 November, and Morocco on 1 December.

CAN 2 : 1 JPN
2022-11-17 Dubai, UAE
OneSoccer ; Al Maktoum Stadium att. 2,971
Referee / Arbitre : Omar Mohammed Alali (Masoud Hassan, Jama Almukhaini, Khuloud Khudoum)  

Goals / Buts
JPN 9′ Yuki Soma (right foot / pied droit) 0-1 (a.Gaku Shubasaki)
CAN 21′ Steven Vitória (right foot / pied droit) 1-1 (a.Atiba Hutchinson)
CAN 90’+4  Lucas Cavallini (PK right foot / pied droit) 2-1

CANADA – 18 GK Milan Borjan, 2 Alistair Johnston (26 Joel Waterman 70′), 3 Samuel Adekube (22 Richie Laryea 60′), 4 Kamal Miller, 5 Steven Vitória, 6 Samuel Piette (15 Ismaël Koné 46′), 13 Atiba Hitchinson cap. (15 Mark Anthony Kaye 60′), 11 Tajon Buchanan (21 Jonathan Osorio 60′), 10 Junior Hoilett, 20 Jonathan David, 17 Cyle Larin (9 Lucas Cavalini 70′) . Coach / entraîneur John Herdman. Unused substitutes / substituts non utilisés:  1 GK Dayne St.Clair, 16 GK James Pantemis; 27 Doneil Henry, 25 Derek Corneilius, 8 Liam Fraser, 24 David Woterspoon,12 Iké Ugbo,13 Lukas MacNaughton

Gatorade Performance of the Match / Gatorade Performance du match:
Junior Hoilett