The selection of Canada defeated this Wednesday at home by 0-2 to that of The Saviorreaffirmed its leadership in the Concacaf qualifiers and kept its classification to Qatar World Cup to reach. Atiba Hutchinson tipped the balance for the visitors in the 66th minute and Jonathan David put the icing on the cake in the 93rd minute.
The Canadians remain undefeated in the qualifying rounds, now with 25 points out of a possible 33, while the Salvadorans remained stationed with 9 in sixth and third from last place. La Selecta gave ground today in its fight, at least for fourth place, which gives the right to play a playoff.
The Reds besieged Kevin Carabantes’ goal for most of the first half and turned him into a star. Hugo Pérez’s men, encouraged from the stands, only put the visitors in trouble between minutes 30 and 35, and at the edge of the first half.
When El Salvador had managed to shake off the Canadian dominance in the second half, the first away goal came in a counterattack that occurred after a fall by Salvadoran Brayan Tamacas in the rival area and that was not reviewed by the VAR.
The Salvadorans advanced their ranks and coach Hugo Pérez sent more offensive players to the field, with which they managed to manage second place longer, but without reaching equality. In added time and when El Salvador was on the attack, Jonathan David made it 0-2 in a counterattack that left him alone with the Salvadoran goalkeeper.
The Canucks are now fighting against the anxiety caused by the possibility of playing the second World Cup in their history this year, as happened in the already distant edition of Mexico’86. The objective may perhaps be achieved on March 24, when they will visit Costa Rica.
DATA SHEET
El Salvador-Canada 0-2
0 – El Salvador: Kevin Caravantes; Eriq Zavaleta, Bryan Tamacas, Aléxander Roldán (m.80, Walmer Martínez), Roberto Domínguez; Darwin Cerén (m.75, Marvin Monterrosa), Eric Calvillo (m.67, Joaquín Rivas), Ronald Rodríguez, Narciso Orellana (m.75, Christian Martínez); Jairo Enríquez (m.67, Enrico Dueñas) and Nelson Bonilla.
Coach: Hugo Perez
2 – Canada: Milan Borján; Samuel Adekugbe, Richie Laryea (d.35, Zachary Guillard), Scott Kennedy; Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio (m.80, Mark Anthony Kaye), Liam Millar (m.12, Cyle Larin), Doneil Henry, Jonathan Osorio (m.12, Tajon Buchanan); Junior Hoilett (d.12, Alistair Johnston) and Jonathan David.
Coach: John Herdman
Goals: 0-1, Atiba Hutchinson (d. 66); 0-2, Jonathan David (d. 93)
Referee: The American Armando Villarreal. He showed yellow card to Salvadorans Roberto Domínguez and Aléxander Roldán, and Canadians Doneil Henry and Jonathan David.
Incidents: Match of the eleventh day of the octagonal final of the Concacaf qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup played at the Cuscatlán Stadium, in San Salvador
