Canadians complete Nations League rout
Americans up next in CONCACAF group for berth in final four
GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS— Canada dominated play but needed an Alphonso Davies goal for a 1-0 win over Cuba in CONCACAF Nations League A play Tuesday, just three days after running roughshod over the Cubans in Toronto.
Playing at a neutral site, a revamped Canadian roster found itself dealing with a Cuban side that was decidedly more stubborn and physical despite reportedly losing players to defection on the trip to Canada.
Davies scored in the ninth minute for Canada, which was reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when centre back Doneil Henry was sent off for a second yellow card, seemingly for dissent.
It was a physical affair, with the Cubans chopping down Canadians as needed and Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar content to let them play.
Canada, ranked 78th in the world, thumped No. 179 Cuba 6-0 on Saturday at BMO Field with captain Junior Hoilett recording a hat trick and Jonathan David, Jonathan Osorio and Henry also scoring.
The Canadian men had beaten Cuba 7-0 in group play at the Gold Cup in June. Tuesday’s game was shifted to the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in the Cayman Islands capital when the stadium in Havana did not pass CONCACAF scrutiny. While Canada controlled Tuesday’s game, the Cubans were more disciplined in defence — sitting deep with two lines of four and content with the occasional counterattack by forward Maykel Reyes, who had a stint with Mexico’s Cruz Azul in 2018.
Davies led the way for Canada and, as a result, absorbed plenty of punishment from the Cubans. He opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed blast from just inside the penalty box after a Cuban turnover at midfield. It was the Bayern Munich teenager’s fourth goal in 15 national team appearances.
Canada had 72 per cent possession in the first half but only put one shot on target. The Cubans had one first-half scoring chance but the ball hit the side of the goal. The Canadians wanted a penalty for handball in the 46th minute but didn’t get it.
Canada’s next Nations League game is Oct. 15 against the 22nd-ranked Americans at Toronto’s BMO Field. The Americans will host the Canadians on Nov. 15. The winner of the three-team group advances to the Nations League final four.