From: gibson@crisium.geop.ubc.ca (Brad Gibson)
Subject: CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier - Canada v. Honduras
Organization: Dept. of Astronomy / Univ. of British Columbia
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 17:44:24 GMT

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Well ... I checked out the game this weekend at Swangard in Vancouver involving
Canada and Honduras.  The result? ...

CANADA 2  -- HONDURAS 2

Having had a chance to see Canada, Mexico, and Honduras now in the last week, I
can say without hesitation that Honduras is the class of the lot.  Mexico is
certainly a step behind, while Canada lies somewhere in between.  I haven't
seen the US play yet, but as they beat both Mexico (in Mexico City) and the
Honduras, I have to assume they are at least on par with the Honduras team.

As to the game Sunday (attendance was a paltry 3,209) ... there was a marked
difference in the level of play of the Hondurans as opposed to the Mexicans
last week.  The Hondurans were extremely skillful (and I mean extremely) ...
unlike the Mexicans (who were also skillful), the Hondurans never panicked when
pressed.  The Mexican team's skill would invariably break down when pressured
whereas the Honduran's ability to pass under the most intense of duress was
remarkable.  

Once again Canada owned the air, but not to the extent that they
did last week against Mexico.  The Hondurans were stronger and bigger than the
Mexicans, but once again it was Canada's domination in the air which spelled
the difference yesterday.  Coupled with this, Canada's set pieces were
outstanding for the second week in a row.  Every free kick and corner was
anticipated with much excitement ... one sensed that a goal could have ensued
on any one of them.

The first half was dominated by the Hondurans, even though the score was 1-1 at
half-time.  The problem with Hondurans yesterday is that they were obviously
playing for the draw.  They would dominate the mid-field (especially in the
first half) but always seemed reluctant to deliver the knock-out blow ... hence
they really only generated 4 glorious scoring chances all day (vs 7 or 8 that
the Canadians generated (the two they
missed were remarkably saved by Ceccerelli in the Canadian net!).  The first
twenty minutes of the second half were all Canada ... the last twenty were
utterly boring as both teams slept walked through the remainder of the game.

I had the good fortune to sit directly behind Bob Lenarduzzi (head coach of the
Vancouver 86ers and Canada's National (i.e., World Cup) Team).  He was very
impressed by the Honduran team.

In conclusion ... if Honduras had made a bigger effort to win, I think they
would have done so.  Canada can be relieved wth the result, but I don't fancy
their chances in the return tie in Honduras.  I would be very surprised if the
two teams to go to Barcelona were not the U.S. and Honduras.  I guess Canada
has an outside chance, but it's judging from what I've seen thus far, it's hard
to imagine the Mexicans advancing.

Table thus far ....

United States     2    2   0   0   6   4    4
Canada            2    0   2   0   3   3    2
Honduras          2    0   1   1   5   6    1
Mexico            2    0   1   1   2   3    1

Cheers,
   Brad

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  Brad K. Gibson                           INTERNET: gibson@geop.ubc.ca
  Dept. of Geophysics & Astronomy         
  #129-2219 Main Mall                      PHONE: (604)822-6722
  University of British Columbia           FAX:   (604)822-6047
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  V6T 1Z4
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