Canada loses, look to the future

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FANCA Canada team 2024-FANCA picCANADA’s FANCA dream ended in a humiliating fashion as New Zealand inflicted heavy final defeat.

Canada lost 3-0 in a lopsided game as the team was completely out of sync in every aspect of the game.

The team played catch-up football for much of the 90 minutes, looked lethargic and unorganized.

New Zealand exposed the weaknesses with their brisk one-two passes and took the game to the Canadians whose stay home approach to the game got them obliterated.

Canada were simply taken apart by New Zealand, wilting under pressure and abject in coping with their attacking variety.

Our lack of in-fight and urgency translates strategy if any in a tournament of champions.

The final loss for a country built on sporting pride at their own game isn’t all that remarkable.

FANCA campaign

Canada’s campaign didn’t start on a high, the team lost to Australia 3-1 in the opening game and suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to New Zealand in the second match.

And following Australia’s expulsion from the tournament, it was the luck of the draw that elevated Canada into an automatic semi final against Fiji, who they beat 5-4 in a shootout after both teams were locked at 2 goals each at full-time.

Canada was left to pick up the pieces after and found it hard to beat New Zealand in a defensive grand finale.

Had Australia not got towed out of the tournament for being an equal participant to the shameful brawl against the USA, Canada would have had its fate sealed on elimination.

With Australian style and guile, they were more finalist-like.

Let’s not celebrate

Canada’s final appearance should not in any way trumpet success as the lack of tactical approach during the campaign was Canada’s substandard outing since the inception FANCA Nations Muslim tournament in 1997.

The 11 goal against and 4 for isn’t a reflection of a nation that has an abundance of talent and has a reputation for displaying good football.

The statistics stacked up like pieces of rubble around the feet of the coach and his players.

And while New Zealand and Australia who got beat at their own game have become fierce competitors to Canada’s declining standard.

Head must roll

The performance should roll heads by addressing the need for a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.

The top down of the entity must leave the team to capable hands to build back up its glory days.

The team has been in the hands of special interests, power influencers and infiltrators who seem to own the nation’s sporting association.

There’s no elites in sports, let alone no one is bigger than the organization.

Former footballer weighs

Former Canada star footballer Patrick Junior says FANCA football has evolved over the years, with Australia and New Zealand having a pool of talent to select a team.

He is of the view that the growing need to remain competitive, out of province players must be included in the team.

“Australia and New Zealand now have professional leagues that have great talent and have a youth academy to develop players that leads to better football.” said Patrick, who won the 2001 FANCA championship in Vancouver.

Patrick said with the talent spread in the past players had to try out to make the team.

“Canada in the past had many great players who had to try out to make the FANCA team."

“It isn’t any more.

“Our current Fijian football on the lower mainland has shifted with fewer youths participating due to the league not having enough players or interest to revamp a competitive league.”

Patrick said focus must be given to football development for youths for the greater good of the sport and future FANCA teams.

“We must invest in our youth and show them the Fijian passion for sport once again.”

Comments 

 

+2 #1 Failed — Saheem Abdul 2024-11-04 04:14

Special interest! From Sabeto to Eagles, unless …Canada is people’s team, public funded!

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