From: gibson@crisium.geop.ubc.ca (Brad Gibson)
Subject: Re: Canada 1-1 Mexico: CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier
Organization: Dept. of Astronomy / Univ. of British Columbia
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 18:53:29 GMT

In article <1992Apr5.230042.1@kean.ucs.mun.ca> jmorry@kean.ucs.mun.ca writes:
>
>Result of 4th round CONCACAF Olympic qualifier played today:
>
>Canada  1-1 Mexico at Burnaby, B.C.
>
>From what I saw on TSN, the Mexicans had more skilful, but 
>undisciplined players. Canada started strong early on, failing to 
>finish three gold-plated opportunities in the box in the ninth and 
>tenth minutes of play. Mexico gained confidence as the match went on, 
>however, and began to carry the game offensively from the twentieth 
>minute on. The two centre backs for Canada were very strong and were 
>able to turn back most of the threats. 
>

   Maybe I can add some more information as I was actually at the game
   (attendance was 3618 for those who keep track of such things).

   The midfield of the Mexicans was definitely more skillful than the
   Canadian's, but they were unable to generate any offense whatsoever.  They
   were completely stymied in their attempts to penetrate the 18yd box.  You
   are correct in saying that the backfield duo of Carl Fletcher (Toronto
   Blizzard) and Kevin Holness (Winnipeg Fury) were outstanding.  For all the
   nice one-touch passing there was never any sense that the Mexicans could
   actually do any damage.  The Canadians seemed satisifed to play the
   long-ball, and to their credit it worked ... several reasons why it was so
   successful:  the Canadians are much bigger, faster, and adept in the air
   than their Mexican counterparts.

   Indeed if there was one aspect of the game which stood out from the rest, it
   was the vast superiority in the air that Canada possesses over Mexico.  Both
   the forwards and the defense owned virtually every ball that got up over 5
   feet off the ground.  Indeed a good half dozen sterling goal chances for
   Canada resulted directly from plays begun in the air.  You could feel the
   anticipation on each corner kick that Canada took simply because you knew
   that a Canadian would be there to meet the ball.

   The Mexican defensive corps was extremely suspect throughout, as were the
   forwards.  The ability of their midfield to control the ball on the ground
   was very nice, but unfortunately without any strong finishers, it was all
   for naught.

>After Mexico scored early in the second half on a play in which three
>Canadians could have challenged but didn't, it appeared to be curtains 
>for Canada. Canada was forced to go to its bench and use injured 
>striker Paul Peschisolido, and it appears that this move put Canada 
>back on track. Peschisolido did all the work on a play that resulted 
>in a goal by Munson in the 70th minute. Both teams continued to attack 

   Indeed the game was floundering until Peschisolido (Toronto Blizzard)
   appeared.  He revitalized the attack and Canada once again owned the last
   half hour because of his presence.

>right up to the final whistle, and indeed Mexico could have won it all 
>in the 88th minute when Canadian goalkeeper Ceccarelli made an 
>egregious mental error in the penalty area - he picked up a pass back 
>from his outside fullback, set the ball down, and picked it up again. 

   Actually he didn't pick it up ... he trapped it with his hands while it
   rolled towards him, removed his hands, then picked it up.

>Mexico were awarded an indirect kick well inside the box, but the 
>resulting cross was headed just over the bar.
>
>I think the commentators were quite right in stating that referee 
>Arlington Success of Antigua was very lenient in failing to red-card 
>two professional fouls by the Mexicans - both would have resulted in 
>reds just about anywhere. In one instance, the goalkeeper for Mexico 
>was well outside the penalty area and threw a good block on the 
>Canadian attacker, while in the second instance, the Canadian player 
>was pulled down from behind when a Mexican player decided he liked the 
>jersey his opponent was wearing.
>

   Quite right on this assessment ... with 4 bookings the Mexican play was
   somewhat undisciplined, but really it was only on these 4 instances.
   Outside of these, their play was clean and fair.

>BTW, I noticed Cesar Menotti, coach of the '78 World Cup champions 
>Argentina, working as part of the Mexican coaching staff. Quite a 
>change, wouldn't you think?
>
>Next game for Canada is April 22nd in Mexico City - you can bet 
>there'll be more than 3600 fans at that match!
>

   Wrong on the first point I'm afraid ... Canada's next game is next Sunday 
   (Sunday April 12) in Vancouver again against Honduras.

>
>Standings:
>
>             P W L D Pts.
>USA          2 2 0 0  4
>Canada       1 0 0 1  1
>Mexico       2 0 1 1  1
>Honduras     1 0 1 0  0
>

   If Canada ends up missing the Olympics because of one point, they will
   certainly be kicking themselves for not picking up the two points yesterday
   against Mexico that they deserved.

   Brad

-- 
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  Brad K. Gibson                           INTERNET: gibson@geop.ubc.ca
  Dept. of Geophysics & Astronomy         
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  University of British Columbia           FAX:   (604)822-6047
  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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