Match Thread: World Cup Group F - Matchday 1 - Belgium v Canada - November 23, 2022 - 10pm local time / 2pm ET / 11am PT

[football_world]

Is there a reason that John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin? Cyle Larin is our best goal scorer and aside from the penalty shot, Cyle Larin probably had the best shot on goal for Canada with his header. Our problem is that we don't have world class finishers (which is fine, it's not like we're going to produce world class finishers overnight, it takes time to grow them).  Most of our best chances came when Cyle Larin was on the bench, if Cyle Larin had been there when we had our best chances, it may have made the difference.

Did Cyle Larin make our formation or whatever strategy we had, worse against Belgium and that's why John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin?

Otherwise, I give John Herdman a B+ or A- in this match. Overall, I'm happy with the way Canada played. We actually created a lot of chances and we had Belgium on the backfoot.  Not bad, given that Belgium is #2 in the FIFA rankings. I was worried about a 7-0 drubbing like Spain gave to Costa Rica.  Against the #2 ranked team in the world, we walked away with a pretty respectable match.  So that's why I give John Herdman a B+ or A- for this match. I still want to know why John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin though.

Edited November 23, 2022 by football_world

[dyslexic nam]

2 minutes ago, king1010 said:

Man. We shouldve had two additional pks in the first half. 

I have no idea how we don’t get a Pk when the guy steps on Richie’s foot.  That immediately brought him down.  The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that is a PK if is isn’t nouveau riche Canada against a world power.  
 

 

[scullion44]

I feel like I was punched in the stomach

[shortofbrillant]

The only really disappointing thing for me was how bad we were on deadball plays. How many times did we kick the ball into an area that was completely unplayable? 

[Gian-Luca]

We were a victim of the big team favouritism today as otherwise I am at a loss to explain the lack of three PK’s. 

But could not be prouder of the boys

[VinceA]

 

[TGAA_Star]

2 minutes ago, dyslexic nam said:

I have no idea how we don’t get a Pk when the guy steps on Richie’s foot.  That immediately brought him down.  The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that is a PK if is isn’t nouveau riche Canada against a world power.  
 

 

I felt that was a penalty too

[scullion44]

One takeaway is how had our set pieces were

[Canucklehead69]

Needed to be more clinical but definitely got robbed

 

How var screwed us out of two PKs is ridiculous

[TGAA_Star]

Davies should not have taken that penalty if anything I would have given it to David or even Eustaquio to take or even Vitoria

[sonic_fcpf]

5 minutes ago, king1010 said:

Man. We shouldve had two additional pks in the first half. 

Exactly....and I do not understand how the fxxxing VAR did not correct it 😡

 

[MapleSyrup]

I was shocked when I saw Davies was the one that was going to take the PK.

David takes them for a high level European team. 

[mpg_29]

Think this just exposed lack of finishing quality...especially against the big teams. Also lot of poor free kicks. When Belgium essentially parked the bus near the end I knew we weren't scoring. Also Courtois...

[jonovision]

Laryea MOTM for me, though I had to miss some parts.

[kohanz]

I'm of two minds.

The result, knowing the chances we had and how we dominated the 1st half, is disappointing.

Yet, after seeing them take the play to Belgium, I'm more optimistic about their chances to advance than I was yesterday.

[Miche]

5 minutes ago, dyslexic nam said:

I have no idea how we don’t get a Pk when the guy steps on Richie’s foot.  That immediately brought him down.  The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that is a PK if is isn’t nouveau riche Canada against a world power.  
 

 

Just my opinion, but Richie reached his foot out steptoe Vardy style.

[gwsmith63]

1 minute ago, mpg_29 said:

Think this just exposed lack of finishing quality...especially against the big teams. Also lot of poor free kicks. When Belgium essentially parked the bus near the end I knew we weren't scoring. Also Courtois...

How &@$?!£¥ crazy was that thought at 2pm today?????

[YorkRegionFan]

It was wonderful to see them take the game to the Belgians.  The missed PK hurt, but that is football.  We just need to improve our finishing.  The set plays need a bit of work.That was a good performance overall.  

If we keep playing like this, we can win the next two games.

[Stryker911]

Do we get a result in this game if Davies doesn't start?

[InglewoodJack]

9 minutes ago, football_world said:

Is there a reason that John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin? Cyle Larin is our best goal scorer and aside from the penalty shot, Cyle Larin probably had the best shot on goal for Canada with his header. Our problem is that we don't have world class finishers (which is fine, it's not like we're going to produce world class finishers overnight, it takes time to grow them).  Most of our best chances came when Cyle Larin was on the bench, if Cyle Larin had been there when we had our best chances, it may have made the difference.

Did Cyle Larin make our formation or whatever strategy we had, worse against Belgium and that's why John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin?

Otherwise, I give John Herdman a B+ or A- in this match. Overall, I'm happy with the way Canada played. We actually created a lot of chances and we had Belgium on the backfoot.  Not bad, given that Belgium is #2 in the FIFA rankings. I was worried about a 7-0 drubbing like Spain gave to Costa Rica.  Against the #2 ranked team in the world, we walked away with a pretty respectable match.  So that's why I give John Herdman a B+ or A- for this match. I still want to know why John Herdman didn't start Cyle Larin though.

Larin has barely played at all for his club this year. He’s definitely better for country than club for sure, but at a certain point, he just isn’t as in form as our other guys. Agreed that he was buzzing today though

[jonovision]

Just now, Stryker911 said:

Do we get a result in this game if Davies doesn't start?

He was a big part of Canada driving the bus. I'm really tired of everyone laying this result at his feet. I didn't see anyone else on the pitch making their own case to take the penalty.

[YorkRegionFan]

3 minutes ago, jonovision said:

Laryea MOTM for me, though I had to miss some parts.

Layrea and Buchanaan were a handful the Belgians.  How Layrea is not good enough for NF is beyond me.

[Miche]

I'm not enjoying all this controversy / blame on Davies taking the pen. He'll feel bad as it is. Let's rally.

[canuckgbp]

We aren’t afraid 

[Gian-Luca]

Joe Fletcher is full of shit