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Canada’s World Cup run ends with a loss, but optimism for future

Canada soccer fans Bob Boettchner, left, and John Mozas watch the match between Canada and Morocco at Cafe Diplimatico on College St. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.
Canada soccer fans Bob Boettchner, left, and John Mozas watch the match between Canada and Morocco at Cafe Diplimatico on College St. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo by JACK BOLAND /TORONTO SUN

After three thrilling games in Qatar, Canada’s World Cup experience has come to an end after a 2-1 loss to Morocco.

“This game was a really tough start. The mistake by Borjan early on cost them and put them on their back heel,” said John Mozas, who watched with friends at Café Diplomatico on College St. “Unfortunately, in the second half it really was a defensive struggle. Morocco sat back. All they had to do was not have two goals scored against them. They knew they were going through.”

As the Canadian national soccer teams head to their respective FIFA World Cups, Derek Van Diest is on the scene to cover all the action. Expect expert insights and analysis in your inbox daily throughout the tournaments, and weekly on Thursdays for the rest of the season.

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Hopeful fans watching the morning game see a bright future in a team that returned to the world stage after 36 years.

“It’s pretty cool that they’ve gotten there after so long,” said Jade Palmer, a New Zealander and newly-minted fan of Team Canada sporting a jersey. “A bit of shame that they haven’t been able to get out of the pool stage.”

Canada showed several sustained moments of promise in each World Cup game, and has now scored two goals at this men’s level.

But no wins yet.

“I think they set soccer forward in Canada. It makes a difference in the way that kids view the game now. It makes a difference in Canadians getting recruited to the Premier league and other European leagues,” said Mozas.

A lone Moroccan fan watches her team play Canada at Cafe Diplimatico on College St. JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN
A lone Moroccan fan watches her team play Canada at Cafe Diplimatico on College St. JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN

“The team play is miles above where it was four years ago. The coach is excellent. The unity is good. At the end of the day, they had the guys to score. They just didn’t score enough goals. And that was it. They had their chances,” said Mike Fenton.

The national soccer program will shift focus to remaining competitive, developing players, and preparing for the World Cup in 2026 hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

But many wonder if coach John Herdman will stay.

  1. (FromL) Canada's midfielder #24 David Wotherspoon, Canada's goalkeeper #16 James Pantemis and Canada's forward #19 Alphonso Davies applaud supporters after they lost the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Canada and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on December 1, 2022.

    VAN DIEST: Canada needs to keep ball rolling towards next World Cup

  2. Eden Hazard of Belgium reacts after the 0-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Belgium and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

    Belgium busts out of World Cup

  3. Canada players applaud supporters after they lost against Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium. Getty Images

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“I don’t know if he is going to stick around to tell you the truth,” said Mozas. “He took the team from playing smaller nations, and he took us from that to playing against Belgium, and playing against Croatia, and being on the field with world-class teams. And that is a huge leap.”

Others think he might be enticed to coach in Europe.

“It must be tempting to go for bigger money in Europe. So I don’t know. He has certainly done a great job,” said fan Bob Boettcher. “But if I had to bet, it bet he’s going to go.”

slaurie@postmedia.com
Twitter: @_ScottLaurie