Draw between the Canucks and the Seleçao. For their start in the competition, both teams share the points. Despite seing goals, the public in the Jules Ladoumègue stadium of Vitrolles saw lot of duels.
Under a difficult and rainy weather, unusual in Provence at the end of May, Canada and Portugal left each others on a draw (0-0) . The first since the start of this 46th edition of the Festival. A sharing of points encouraging for the North Americans, less for the Lusitanians.
The first half is interesting. Both squads play with rythm. The game is balanced. Canadian and Portuguese have good intentions. They try to quickly project forward just after getting the ball back. Duels are intense but technical waste and bad choices avoid the creation of goal chances. The spectactors in the stands of Jules Ladoumègue stadium of Vitrolles can only enjoy one opportunity. Aidan Daniels, the number 10 of Canada, tries with a superb solo play that fires the assistance but Luis Maximiano blocks the shoot.
The players are coming back for the second half with the same intentions. No occasions during 40 minutes. The game is intermittent. Fouls multiplie. Portuguese staff doesn’t succeed in disorganising the Canadian defence. The self-sacrifice of John Herdman’s men has to be underlined. The lack of creativity of the favourites also. The first games of the Maurice Revello Tournament have offered great emotions to the spectators. This game is not the the line of the competition. The lovers of the Festival hope it will stay extraordinary.
Azir Said Mohamed Cheik
Credits phoho : Eric Estrade
Portugal– Canada : 0-0
Day 1 - Group C
Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Vitrolles
Portugal : Maximiano – Vinagre (c), Correia, Carmo, Costa – Brito, Valente (Teixeira, 36'), Quina (Tavares, 54') – Trincao (Filipe, 61'), P.Correia (Gomes, 61'), Dju
Coach : Hélio Sousa
Canada : Pantemis – Kinumbe, Dunn (Norman, 71'), Cornelius, Legault – Shome, Okello Ayo (Choiniere, 53'), Daniels – Twardek (c) (Bair, 60'), David (Verhoeven, 71'), Millar
Coach : John Herdman
Referees : M.Papadopoulos (GRE), M.Spikas (GRE), M.Kampouris (GRE)