Canada Goalless vs. Guatemala, settling for 2nd consecutive draw in Gold Cup group play
Canada fought to a 0-0 draw against Guatemala on Saturday night, a result that left the men’s national soccer team with their backs to the wall in Houston’s CONCACAF Gold Cup game.
Canada entered the game hoping for a win to improve their chances of moving out of Group D, but were outplayed by Guatemala for a long time.
Canada pressed in the late stages of the game.
Minutes later, central defender Steven Vitoria fired a shot that stopped Hagen.
Guadeloupe and Guatemala led Group D with four points from a win and a draw. Canada has two points from the two draws.
WATCH l Canada play to goalless draw with Guatemala in Houston:
The two countries failed to find the back of the net in this 0-0 finish. Canada must beat Cuba on Tuesday to stay alive in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Canada, ranked 47th in the world, will face number 165 ranked Cuba in Houston on Tuesday in a must-win game.
The game was played in front of a boisterous, pro-Guatemala crowd in a temperature of 34 degrees Celsius and 65 percent humidity in the Shell Energy Stadium.
Canada were booed by a hometown crowd in Toronto as they opened play in Group D on Tuesday with a 2-2 draw against Guadeloupe. Guatemala defeated Cuba 1-0 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the first game of the tournament.
Guadeloupe beat Cuba 4-1 earlier Saturday.
Canada’s best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 29th minute. Lucas Cavallini headed a ball forward to Junior Hoilett who turned and fired a shot that sailed over the net.
A Canadian giveaway allowed Guatemala to threaten in the 20th minute. Striker Nathaniel Mendez had a clear shot from the top of the box, but goalkeeper Milan Borjan made the save.
Midfielder Liam Miller raised Canadian hopes with a hard shot from distance in the 23rd minute Hagen reeled in.
Canada got lucky in the 33rd minute. Aaron Herrera kicked a corner into the penalty area and a defensive foul left defender Jose Ardon alone, but he failed to make contact with the ball.
A few minutes later, Herrera just missed the top corner on a free kick.
The 16-country tournament runs through July 16 in 15 stadiums in 14 cities.
Canada is missing some of its biggest names with Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alistair Johnston, Atiba Hutchinson and Ismael Kone not playing.
WATCH l Canada’s men’s soccer team baffled by unranked Guadeloupe:
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A late stoppage time own goal from Jacen Russell-Rowe saw unranked Guadeloupe draw Canada 2–2 in the opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
