With two losses in two games Canada’s hopes of advancing to the first knock out round of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup are hanging by a thread. Based on their displays over the last two games they are fortunate that they still have any hope at all.

While on Sunday Chile was streets ahead of Canada in every department, tonight they were up against an Austrian side that would struggle to be classed as average.

Canada made three changes with Nunez, Lombardo and Attakora-Gyan making way for Tosaint Ricketts, Stephen Lumley and Keegan Ayre. But rather than bringing some verve and life to the side, Canada spent almost the entire game looking as if they were still shell-shocked from Sunday’s 3-0 loss. 

It was hard to pick out any decent performances from a Canadian team that lacked drive and intensity right up until the closing minutes. The Canadian midfield in particular was devoid of anyone who could make a telling pass, control the rhythm of the game or was willing to impose themselves on the game.

At times the Canadian performance left the impression that the players had been coached to the point were there was no spontaneity or creativity left. (Or is it a case that the Canadian system – like some other countries on show – cannot tolerate players with a spark of creativity and instead rely solely on producing “athletes” for the national program?)  

Austria’s goal came after poor marking from a corner kick early in the second half. Okotie – the best player on the park – headed past Canadian keeper Begovic for what turned out to be the winning goal.

Shortly after Beaulieu-Bourgault hit the Austrian crossbar after a free kick was hoisted in. That was the last time Canada went close until the closing seconds when Ricketts was clean through with only the keeper to beat. He put the ball well wide.

So Canada has its work cut out if it wants to avoid becoming the seventh host nation not to make it past the group stage of the FIFA under-20 World Cup. And with a minus four goal differential (and with no goals scored) Canada is presently on track to record one of the poorest performances ever by a host nation. You would hope that that statistic should provide as much motivation as is needed when Canada plays Congo on Sunday in Edmonton. 

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