LOS ANGELES: Canada crashed to their first defeat of 2022 World Cup qualifying on Thursday as a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica delayed their bid to reach the finals for the first time in 36 years. With Panama being surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to bottom team Honduras, the Canadians needed only a draw in San Jose to secure their second ever World Cup appearance following the 1986 finals in Mexico. But the Canadians were rocked after defender Mark-Anthony Kaye was sent off on 34 minutes for picking up his second yellow card of the night.
Costa Rica made the advantage count, and deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half Celso Borges headed home Gerson Torres’s cross to score the game’s only goal. Canada battled bravely to get back on level terms after the break, with Tajon Buchanan looking threatening throughout only to be denied by Costa Rica’s veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Jonathan David almost salvaged a goal for Canada but his shot was deflected behind for a corner. Richie Laryea went close for Canada on 73 minutes but his shot was saved by Navas. Buchanan then hit the bar with a header before a follow-up shot flew just over. Despite being a man down, Canada finished the stronger of the two teams but were unable to break down a resolute Costa Rica side. Canada remain on top of the qualifying standings for Central America, North America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), however, with 25 points and two rounds remaining. A single point in Sunday’s home game against Jamaica at Toronto would seal Canada’s qualification for Qatar — and coach John Herdman backed his side to close out qualification.
USA rue missed chances: Elsewhere on Thursday, the United States and Mexico shared the spoils in a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Azteca Stadium that edged both sides closer to qualification. The United States headed into the fixture in the knowledge they had never beaten Mexico in a World Cup qualifying game in Mexico City. But Gregg Berhalter’s side carved out the better chances in a scrappy encounter that leaves the two teams level on 22 points with two rounds of fixtures remaining. Chelsea striker Christian Pulisic should have fired the USA into the lead after 35 minutes, but fired his shot from Timothy Weah’s cross directly at Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Second-half substitute Jordan Pefok then squandered a golden opportunity to put the Americans ahead on 72 minutes after being gifted a chance from Gio Reyna. But with the goal begging, the Switzerland-based striker somehow hooked his shot wide. The US coach admitted the team was left ruing not taking all three points. The United States face Panama on Sunday in Orlando, where they could clinch qualification with a win if Costa Rica fail to take all three points in their away game against El Salvador.