Canada’s men’s national team fell 0:3 to FYR Macedonia in its first of two international friendly matches during this European camp. Canada held off the host for 45 minutes before Macedonia scored three times – twice on penalty kicks – in the last 45 minutes. Canada itself was awarded two penalty kicks, but failed to score both times.
“We played poorly in the first half and deserved the result,” said head coach Stephen Hart. “We never played with confidence or responsibility in the first half.”
Goce Sedloski scored in the 47th minute before Goran Pandev scored on penalty kicks in the 59th and 91st minutes. Canada’s two opportunities were missed by Iain Hume (wide of goal) and Simeon Jackson (saved by goalkeeper Tome Pacovski).
Macedonia caused plenty of trouble for Canada in the opening 45 minutes. The host played with three forwards up front, producing lots of pressure on the Canadian defence. Canadian goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar was called to make seven saves in the first half.
“We struggled on set plays,” said Hart. “They were bigger and stronger than us. They were beating us up on corners.”
Macedonia’s first chance came in the first minute after Slavco Georgievski created space on the left side and crossed the ball into the middle. Pandev, however, connected for a weak header.
In the 17th minute, Macedonia had another good chance as Ilco Naumoski created time and space at the top of the box. His curling shot was heading for the top corner of the net, but Wagenaar dove to tip the ball away.
In the 25th minute, a Macedonia corner kick was headed by Nikolce Noveski onto the crossbar. The ball fell for an opportune rebound, but Wagenaar made the save. Three minutes later, Aco Stojkov found himself with a one-on-one chance with Wagenaar, but the goalkeeper won the duel and pushed the ball away for a corner kick.
On the ensuing corner, Noveski again connected for a header, but this time knocked the ball over the crossbar.
Near the end of the first half, Macedonia had its best chances as Canada closed out a defensive 45 minutes. In the 43rd minute, a crossed ball bounced around in the box before Pandev fired a shot from close range. The ball hit Wagenaar and stayed out. One minute later, Georgievski came in unmarked from the left side, but he simply missed his shot.
Early in the second half, Canada had the first chance as Jackson was played through for a chance on goal. The goalkeeper, however, made the save. In the following minute, however, Macedonia opened the scoring with its first of three goals. Sedloski connected with a header off a corner kick.
After the goal, Canada came to life and controlled the play. In the 54th minute, Hume took an excellent free kick that almost curled to Hutchison’s advantage. The Macedonia defender, however, was in the right position to clear the ball. Canada came away with back-to-back corner kicks, the second of which produced the penalty after Macedonia was penalized for a hand ball.
Hume, the maestro of Canada’s offensive surge, took the kick from the mark, but he shot low and wide off the target.
Macedonia quickly turned the play back in its favour. A few minutes thereafter, Macedonia made it 2-0 with Pandev’s first of two goals from the penalty mark. Canada’s Paul Stalteri was booked on the play that awarded Macedonia the penalty kick.
Then in the 70th minute, Canada had its second chance with a penalty kick. This time, the kick was awarded after forward Rob Friend was taken down in the box. Jackson took the kick, but his shot was stopped by goalkeeper Pacovski.
Macedonia finally made it 3-0 in the 91st minute on a call against Canada in the box. This time, Kevin McKenna went up and won a header, but was called for fouling the Macedonia player. Pandev scored on the penalty kick.
Canada’s starting XI featured Josh Wagenaar in goal, Mike Klukowski, Richard Hastings, Kevin McKenna and Paul Stalteri in defence, Josh Simpson, Atiba Hutchison, Julian de Guzman and Patrice Bernier at midfield, Iain Hume as an attacking midfielder, and Simeon Jackson up front.
For Stalteri, it was his 77th appearance as a starter, a new national team record that passes both Randy Samuel (76) and Mark Watson (76). Overall, Stalteri has made 78 appearances with the national team, now tied with Watson (78) for second-most all time behind national leader Samuel (82).
As for substitutions, Jaime Peters set the national record for appearances as a substitute (15), passing the record he had shared with Hume (14). Peters entered the match in the 67th minute to replace Stalteri. Other second-half changes were Rob Friend and Marcel de Jong for Hume and Hutchison in the 64th minute and Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault for de Guzman in the 85th minute.
For Beaulieu-Bourgault, it was his first appearance with the national team.
With the loss, Canada’s record in 2009 is four wins, one draw and two losses. Canada’s next match is 18 November against Poland.
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