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EN
31 mai 2018
Canada surprise Turkey
Canada beat Turkey after a rough game (1-0). It is the young Verhoeven, entered fifteen minutes before the end of the game, who offered the three points to his nation important for the qualification to the semi-finals.
In the stands of Jules Ladoumègue Stadium of Vitrolles, Turkish supporters make some noise. They wave red flags brought for the occasion. The Turkish music on the speakers at half time gives a warm atmosphere. The weather is nice. All the conditions are reunited for a great match.
The ambiance on the pitch is more tense. Tackles between Canadians and Turkish are rough. The game is very physical. An intervention not controled from Cankaya on Millar at 31th minute costs him a yellow card. The young player from Liverpool will have some trouble to get back on his feet. The first half can’t decide between both teams whose level of playing is very close one to another. A lot of technical mistakes avoid them to be efficient in the transmissions but also in front of the goal. But the willingness and determination are here. The Turkish winger from Braunschweig, Ahmet Canbaz, shows himself on two dangerous chances. A first one at the third minute with a long distance shot from the 25 metres close to the net. A second time with a similar occasion stopped by Busti. Canadians try to show dangerous in return. They are at 24th minute with a superb free-kick taken by Daniels that Sengezer put out in corner. The half time arrives at the perfect time for coaches to give new instructions to their teams.
Verhoeven, the saviour
The second half starts on the same basis. Lot of fouls and free-kicks, not very well adjusted to unlock the situation. In this Vitrolles nightfall, some individuals actions give rhythm to this opposition. The last twenty minutes are very interesting. Liam Millar is close to open the score in front of Sengezer at short distance (58th) and hit the post with a cross-shot (74th). It is getting closer. And the light comes from Noah Verhoeven that entered the pitch in second half. The player from Fresno FC in the United States, finally finds the solution. After a superb curling cross, the Turkish keeper hesitates to take on the ball and finally sees the ball finishing its way into the net (1-0, 75th). Turkish players try to come back to the score but fail against a solid Canadian defensive block. Mauro Bello’s men take three precious points and now head the group C. Turkey miss the opportunity to end the suspense and is now second of the group. The last day will be crucial for the qualification.
Jordan Bozonnet
Credits photo : Magali Ruffato
Canada – Turkey : 1-0
Matchday 2 - Group C
Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Vitrolles
Goal : Verhoeven (75')
Canada : Busti – Legault, Cornelius, Sadiki, Kinumbe – Daniels (Norman, 64'), Okello (Choiniere, 41'), Shome – Millar, David (Blair, 75'), Twardek (Verhoeven, 64')
Coach : Mauro Biello
Turkey : Sengezer – Polat, Aksoy, Demiral, Aksu – Ozturk, Cankaya (Kardes, 59') – Canbaz (Alici, 43'), Akcay (Özfesli, 50'), Eskihellac (Durmus, 73') - Kanatsizkus
Coach : Muzaffer Bilazer
Referees : Mr Ortiz Nava (MEX), Mr Camargo Callado (MEX), Mr Quitero Huitron (MEX)
