Canadian men score late to down Suriname in CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal
Canada showed their dominance over Suriname in the opening leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal on Friday, coming out with a 1-0 win in Paramaribo, Suriname. The lone goal came from substitute Junior Hoilett in the 82nd minute, securing the victory for the Canadians. The two teams will face off again on Tuesday at Toronto’s BMO Field.
In a match where Canada controlled play, they outshot Suriname 13-2 (5-0 in shots on target) and held 67% possession with a 7-1 advantage in corners. Despite their dominance, Canada struggled to find the back of the net, missing two clear opportunities in the first half. Under coach Jesse Marsch, the Canadian team has only scored nine goals in 12 games.
Marsch acknowledged the team’s struggles in converting chances, stating, “It’s a little bit the story of our team because we don’t find a way to get that goal in the first half with some big chances.” However, the breakthrough came when captain Stephen Eustaquio set up Jonathan David, who then found Hoilett for the decisive goal.
Hoilett’s experience and ability to make plays in the final third were crucial in securing the win for Canada. The victory puts them in a good position heading into the second leg of the quarterfinal.
The quarterfinal winners will advance to the Nations League Finals in March at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., as well as qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Canada-Suriname winner will face either the U.S. or Jamaica in the semifinals.
Suriname, with a roster featuring players from various European leagues, provided a tough challenge for Canada. Despite missing captain Alphonso Davies, the Canadian team showed depth and resilience in their performance.
With the second leg set to take place in Toronto, Canada will look to build on their strong showing in the opening match. The team has the talent and determination to secure their spot in the Nations League Finals and continue their quest for success in CONCACAF competition.
