Coach Jesse Marsh defended Canada’s approach to the game, stating the team is “not a dirty team” after they received their third consecutive red card during a 2-2 friendly draw against Iceland in Toronto on Saturday.
Tajon Buchanan was ejected in the 80th minute for elbowing Icelandic midfielder Mikael Ellertsson as the ball was out of play. This incident highlights a troubling trend, marking the fourth red card for Canada in their last eight matches.
“We’re physical and we play hard, but we are not a dirty team,” Marsh stated, expressing disagreement with Buchanan’s dismissal. “While we’re not focused on our reputation, a card like that can significantly change the momentum of a tournament.”
Despite the setback, Canada displayed resilience by coming back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a draw. Olli Oskarsson was pivotal for Iceland, scoring both goals in the match.
As Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup this summer alongside the United States and Mexico, they enter the tournament ranked 29th in the world. In contrast, Iceland, currently ranked 74th according to FIFA’s latest standings, failed to qualify for the event.
Oskarsson capitalized on a poor pass from Canadian center back Kamal Miller to score the opening goal in the ninth minute. He extended Iceland’s lead in the 21st minute, showcasing his skill after receiving a pass from Ellertsson, leaving Canadian right-back Nico Sigur behind.
Canada began to turn the tide in the 67th minute when David converted a penalty, awarded after Buchanan was fouled. Just minutes after coming off the bench, David scored again to level the match, although tensions flared when Daniel Jevison was also fouled in the penalty area leading up to Buchanan’s red card.
Marsh reflected on his team’s morale at halftime, saying, “I told them we were still in control. By increasing our tempo, we’d find the first goal, then the second, and ultimately, the winner.” He emphasized that the only suspension from the match was Buchanan’s red card.
This friendly also marked a significant moment for Marcelo Flores, who made his debut for the Canadian national team after transferring from Mexico with FIFA’s approval in February. Flores expressed his pride, stating, “It’s great to finally wear the Maple Leafs.”
Looking ahead, Canada will face No. 47 Tunisia in another exhibition match on Tuesday, providing players the chance to solidify their positions on the World Cup roster. With only 75 days until the tournament begins, Canada will kick off on June 12 in Toronto against the winner of the European playoff between No. 13 Italy and No. 66 Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following that, they will face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.
Marsh emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches, stating, “Every moment we spend together now is crucial for making a lasting impression. I don’t want them to feel too much pressure; I want them to focus on implementing our game plan.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
