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Canada reaches new low in 8-1 thrashing
By Rob Soria
OurHometown.ca

Canada reaches new low in 8-1 thrashing
With Canada needing only a draw to move into the next stage of qualification for the 2015 World Cup in Brazil, the men wearing the Red & White were thoroughly humbled, falling 8-1 to Honduras, in Tuesday afternoon's qualification match.
PHOTO CREDIT -

Edmonton - October 16, 2012 - If someone were to have taken a quick look at the score line from today's World Cup qualifier between Canada and Honduras, one would have thought the men's national team were playing Spain. If that would have been the case, one could easily explain what Canadian soccer fans had to suffer through on Tuesday afternoon.

With Canada needing only a draw to move into the next stage of qualification for the 2015 World Cup in Brazil, the men wearing the Red & White were thoroughly humbled, falling 8-1 to Honduras. To be fair, it was no sure thing that this squad would go out and get the result they apparently wanted but for them to come out with this sort of performance, clearly demonstrates how little pride they take in playing for their country.

There is no shame in going out and losing...as long as they had given it their all. What we saw this afternoon, was a team that simply gave up and allowed not only embarrassed themselves but the country as a whole. This coming on the heels of the women's national side capturing the heart's of millions across our great nation, with their never say die attitude at the 2012 London Olympics.

On the one hand, we see Canada's Diana Matheson kissing the Canadian logo on her jersey, as her late winner secured Canada's their first team Olympic medal at the Summer Games since 1936. On the other hand, you have what we saw unfold today. Does playing for their country honestly main so little to Stephen Hart's men?

While much of the blame will land directly onto the shoulders of Hart, it is ultimately the players responsibility to show up and compete. Don't get me wrong, Hart and his staff played a part in this abomination but the players were the star attraction.

Could the national program use better coaching? Sure but that has absolutely nothing to do with what happened out on that pitch. Having better coaching and developmental programs for players at a younger age, will undoubtedly spawn a better soccer player but that does no one any good, in the here and now.

Canada is currently ranked 61st in the FIFA world rankings. Honduras sits 66th. All the makings of what should have been a close game to determine who went through to the next stage of qualification. Unfortunately, some one forgot to let Canadian players in on this little nugget.

Sportsnet's Craig Forrest summed it up best in the dying moments of the match, in referring to Canada's performance as "gutless". When you have the likes of Forrest and TSN analyst Jason deVos, both former national side players, using words like "gutless" and "embarrassing" to describe Canada's performance, it pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Follow Me on TwitterRob Soria is the Edmonton Oilers' correspondent for OurHometown.ca. Rob was born and raised in Edmonton and is the author of the Edmonton Oilers blog - OilDrop.ca. He has been a dedicated follower of the game and its history for years but his focus remains on his hometown Edmonton Oilers. If you have questions or wish to contact Rob, you can email him at rsoria@ourhometown.ca


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