Canadians storm back to beat Martinique

It may have not been the perfect start for Canada at the Gold Cup, but it was pretty close.

Canada defeated Martinique 4-1 in its opening game of the tournament at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City on Sunday.

Cyle Larin, Jonathan Osorio, Stephen Eustaquio and Theodor Corbeanu scored for Canada in the victory, while Emmanuel Riviere scored for Martinique.

Canada play Haiti on Thursday, where a win would earn it a place in the quarter-finals. Canada concludes the group stage next Sunday against the United States.

“We started off slow and we conceded an early goal,” said Canada midfielder Junior Hoilett. “But we turned it around quickly and it was a great reaction from our players and our group. We controlled the game after that.

“That’s something we can work on in the next game to start off stronger, but the way we finished was excellent.”

Canada got off to rough start as a turnover by midfielder Mark-anthony Kaye at the top of the penalty area, ended up in the back of the net, 10 minutes into the contest.

Canada responded well and took the play to Martinique from the restart, particularly down the left side where Tajon Buchanan tormented right back Romario Barthelery, blowing past him time and time again.

Buchanan was playing in a position usually reserved for Alphonso Davies, but the young Bayern Munich star was injured in training on the eve of the tournament and returned to Germany.

“Unfortunately, Davies isn’t here,” said Canada head coach John Herdman, “but Tajon is bringing that excitement for the crowd and for the fans back home. Every team needs a player like that and every fan base love that type of player, who plays carefree and wants to go after their fullbacks. It was a very mature performance.”

Larin tied the game in the 16th minute, heading in a corner swung into the far post by Hoilett.

Osorio put Canada up 2-1, four minutes later, turning in a cross from Buchanan, who got past Barthelery and slid a pass across.

Eustaquio added a third on a play again started by Buchanan blowing past Barthelery and this time sliding the ball to Hoilett in the penalty area. Hoilett laid it over to Eustaquio at the top of the box and he slotted a shot in past Martinique goalkeeper Meslien Gillies.

“In these tournaments the first game, the first few minutes are always tough because of the nerves of the first game and the anxiousness to get going,” Osorio said. “I think we made a little mistake and they capitalized on it, but I really liked the reaction of our team after that.”

In the second half, Canada looked to add to its lead, but ran into some tough tackling from Martinique and were unable to break them down.

Eventually, substitute Lucas Cavallini was able to take advantage of a turnover and sent a low cross to Corbeanu, who turned it past Gillies with just over a minute left in the contest.

“I think we can improve on our second half,” Osorio said.

One downside of the game was Canada picking up six yellow cards, which could prove troublesome. Players picking up two yellow cards prior to the semifinal stage are forced to miss a game.

Eustaquio, Kaye, Cavallini, Liam Fraser, Steven Vitoria, and Alistair Johnston, were all booked in the contest.