Canada ousted in Gold Cup tourney
Squad laboured with scoring in 3 games
DENVER Struggling to find scoring through almost three full games of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada could have used some help in its final match against Panama on Sunday.
In need of a win to keep its slim hopes of advancing alive, Canada nearly caught a break late in the match when forward Marcus Häber went down in the Panama 18-yard box.
But although there was contact, the referee decided against awarding a penalty as Canada crashed out of the tournament thanks to a 0-0 draw in both teams’ Group C finale.
“He’s an honest player and he hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s been fouled inside the box, in my opinion, and I think it is a penalty kick,” said Canadian interim head coach Colin Miller. “And I said to the referee also after the game that I thought it was a penalty kick.”
Even with a win Canada would have needed a lopsided result in the Martinique-Mexico match to advance to the tournament’s quarter-finals with a goal differential.
Beating Panama was a tall order for Canada’s youthladen squad. As Canada continues rebuilding it’s men’s soccer program, Miller is taking solace in the progression he saw over the course of the tournament.
“They have been fantastic to work with and I’m very grateful for the efforts of the staff and the players,” said Miller, whose time as interim head coach comes to an end with Benito Floro set to take over the team next month.
“They have given Floro some hope that between the players we have here and the players that were unavailable, the Canadian landscape is brighter than some people would give us credit for. I’m very optimistic. The problem that Canada has — and you saw it again today — is in the attacking third.”
Neither side created much in the way of chances in a game in which Panama needed just a point to win Group A. Canada exits the tournament having not scored a goal after losses to Martinique and Mexico preceded Sunday’s result. Miller says Canada needs time to catch up to programs around the world. He coached Canada in six international games in 2013 and leaves with two ties and four losses.