Canada defeats Belarus in Turkey

For more information on this fixture, please read the Canada-Belarus match report.



Canada wrapped up a successful week-long camp in Turkey with a 1:0 victory over Belarus on Tuesday 29 March. Staff and players were pleased with their sessions and the performance carried over into the Men’s International Friendly match against Belarus. Canada controlled much of the play and André Hainault delivered the lone goal in the win.



“We have a group of players now that understands what we are trying to do,” said national head coach Stephen Hart. “Everybody understands their roles and they’re starting to get comfortable with what’s being asked of them. I couldn’t ask for anything more from the players tonight.”



Canada improves its 2011 record to one win and one loss, both against European opponents. Canada’s February opponent Greece was ranked 10th in the world while Belarus was ranked 37th. The Canadian team is currently preparing for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup which runs 5-25 June. Canada opens the competition on 7 June against USA. Canada also faces Guadeloupe and Panama in the group phase.



“We’re going to try build on the momentum,” said right back Nik Ledgerwood. “We had a great camp, I think everybody is happy with it, and once we get all the boys together again for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, I just hope we can take the motivation from this camp and roll with it and get some good results.”



Stephen Hart







Since switching to the new Umbro kits on 9 February, all Canadian teams (men, women, men U-20 and men U-17) have posted nine wins, one draw and two losses. The team is 7-1-2 in red including the Tuesday victory over Belarus. Retail sales of the new Canadian Umbro kits will go on sale this June.