THE CANADIAN PRESS
STRUMICA, Macedonia -- Canada's men's soccer team allowed a trio of second-half goals to fall 3-0 to Macedonia on Saturday in its first of two European friendlies.
The Canadians, ranked 53rd in the world, managed to hold off their hosts in a sluggish opening 45 minutes before 66th-ranked Macedonia scored three times -- twice on penalty kicks -- in the second half. Canada was awarded two penalty kicks as well, but failed to score both times.
"We played poorly in the first half and deserved the result," said Canadian interim head coach Stephen Hart. "We never played with confidence or responsibility in the first half."
Goce Sedloski scored in the 47th minute, then Goran Pandev converted a pair of penalty shots in the 59th and 91st minutes.
Iain Hume took a penalty kick for Canada, but fired it wide of the goal, while Simeon Jackson's penalty shot was saved by Macedonian 'keeper Tome Pacovski.
Playing with three forwards up front, Macedonia caused plenty of trouble for Canada's defence in the first half, with Canadian 'keeper Josh Wagenaar making seven saves in the opening 45 minutes alone.
"We struggled on set plays," said Hart. "They were bigger and stronger than us. They were beating us up on corners."
Canada had a decent scoring chance foiled early in the first half when Pacovski stopped a shot from Jackson, who had ran onto a through ball.
Macedonia scored a minute later when Sedloski connected with a header off a corner kick.
Canada came to life and controlled the play after the goal and in the 54th minute, Hume nearly scored on a curling free kick that Macedonia's defence managed to clear. Canada came away with two consecutive corner kicks, the second of which produced Hume's penalty shot after Macedonia was penalized for a hand ball.
Macedonia quickly turned the play back in its favour, Pandev making it 2-0 shortly on first of two goals from the penalty mark.
Jackson took his penalty shot in the 70th minute after Rob Friend was taken down in the box.
Macedonia finally made it 3-0 in the 91st minute on a call against Kevin McKenna in the box. McKenna went up for a header, but was whistled for fouling a Macedonia player, and Pandev scored on the penalty kick.
Paul Stalteri made his 77th Canadian team start, a national team record that passes both Randy Samuel (76) and Mark Watson (76). Stalteri has made 78 appearances with the national team to leave him tied with Watson (78) for second all-time behind national leader Samuel (82).
Jaime Peters, who replaced Stalteri in the 67th minute, set the national record for appearances as a sub with 15, surpassing the record he had shared with Hume (14).
Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, who subbed in for Julian de Guzman in the 85th minute, made his national team debut.
Canada's record in 2009 fell to four wins, one draw and two losses.
Canada faces Poland on Wednesday in Bydgoszcz.
