THE CANADIAN PRESS
ANTALYA, Turkey — A second-half header by centre back Andre Hainault gave Canada a 1-0 win over Belarus in an international soccer friendly Tuesday.
For Hainault, it was a welcome reward for a marathon trip to Turkey to play for his country. The Houston defender was the last player to arrive after a convoluted trip from Seattle, where the Dynamo won 1-0 Friday.
Canada, ranked 84th by FIFA compared to No. 37 for Belarus, carried the play in the first half when Belarus managed just one shot on goal.
The two teams shared more of the ball in the second half, but it was the Canadians who made the most of their opportunities.
The 58th-minute goal was created by an in-swinging corner from midfielder Will Johnson, with Hainault directing his header into the far corner.
"Will put in a good ball," said Hainault. "I had Rob Friend in front of me, he draws two or three guys whenever he makes a run for the ball, he left it, and I just kept my eye on the ball and it went in. It was great to score."
Hardly anyone saw the win. The match was played in front of approximately 100 spectators at the Ataturk Stadium.
Coach Stephen Hart was pleased with Canada’s overall performance, but says there is room for improvement in advance of this summer’s Gold Cup.
"I think it was a mixed performance really," Hart said. "We opened the game brightly, created a number of chances and they didn’t really have any chances in the first half.
"Second half we got the goal from Andre, he climbed well and scored it and once again we were creating the chances. But I felt that our play was a little bit rushed, a little bit hurried and we lacked a bit of composure at times."
Canada carried the run of play in the first half and went close to scoring in the 27th minute when striker Rob Friend latched onto a lofted through-ball from Atiba Hutchinson. He smashed a volley on target from 10 yards, but goalkeeper Sergei Vermenko pushed the ball wide.
The game opened up after the goal with the two teams trading chances at either end, but neither side was able mount a serious threat.
"Both teams were missing some players but we have a group of players now that understands what we are trying to do," Hart said.
"Everybody understands their roles and they’re starting to get comfortable with what’s being asked of them."
The win marks Canada’s first victory on European soil since a 1-0 win over Cyprus in May 2009.
Canada entered the match having won just one of its last nine games (1-6-2) since losing to the U.S. in the semifinal of the 2009 Gold Cup.
The Canadian squad will next reassemble in North America in advance of the Gold Cup, with a friendly likely to be scheduled for June 1.
