Canada may not have been one of the pundits’ hot picks to win this summer’s Gold Cup, but they opened their group campaign in fine form. The Canucks got off to a winning start and are now looking forward to causing an upset and making their way to the latter stages of the tournament before a global audience.
The current CONCACAF Gold Cup betting favours the likes of Mexico and the USA, but Canada has already proven they are a force to be reckoned with. The team have laid down a marker, and traders at the top online betting site are already scrambling to right the wrongs of their pre-match betting odds.
Can they win the Gold Cup? It’s certainly a big ask, and the nation will need their fair share of luck along the way, but if they continue the form and confidence shown on matchday one, no opponent will welcome a match against the Canadians.
Canada boast two previous titles
Canada boasts previous experience of Gold Cup glory, having lifted the trophy on two previous occasions. This summer was the 17th time they have qualified for the tournament, first booking their invite back in 1977. In most renewals, we have seen the Canucks rank as competitive without troubling the eventual champions, but their list of achievements does show a pair of wins.
They first landed the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1985 when beating Honduras 2-1 in the final thanks to goals from Pakos and Vrablic. Their most recent Gold Cup success saw Canada defeat Colombia 2-1 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. The goals scored to secure that victory came from De Vos and Corrazin. The latter scored from the penalty spot.
Two wins from 17 attempts isn’t a great return, and with that win over Colombia coming back in 2000, the patience of supporters is beginning to wear thin. More than two decades watching on as their team failed to live up to expectations and give them a reason to cheer means fans are now demanding better. The pressure is on Canada in 2021.
Pool shaping up nicely
Are better times ahead for those long-suffering fans, or will that painful drought continue for another 12 months at least? That question remains unanswered, but as far as good starts go to a challenge, Canada is happy with their on the opening match of Gold Cup 2021. They picked up three points in their opening game and surged to the top of their group ahead of the USA, Haiti and Martinique. The pool is now shaping up as most expected – a shootout between Canada and the United States.
Winning that group will earn Canada a more favourable draw when progressing to the knockout stages of the Gold Cup. They’ll want to see off the attentions of Team USA and win the group, sending out a message of intent to the rest of the competition. Doing just that will make sure pundits, critics and coaches at other teams begin to give the Reds the respect they feel they deserve.
They opened their account with a win over Martinique, doing as expected and claiming all three points. They then play Haiti in a game fans will want to see them take maximum points from. Six points from their first two games will then set up a decider with the USA on matchday three. The winner of that fixture will progress to the knockout rounds as winners of the group. To give themselves the best chance of setting up a winner takes all game with their neighbours Canada know they must beat Haiti on July 16. It’s not a must-win for the team, but it’s a game they know they really should be banking a maximum pay-out from.
An impressive opener sets the standard
Canada beat Martinique 4-1 on matchday one with the goals scored by Larin, Osorio, Eustaquio and Corbeau. A fine opener and a great way for the squad to boost morale. Tougher tests await, but this team looks ready to face them head-on.
If they can match the efforts of that win, they will prove a tough challenge for any opponent at this level, and they’ll certainly give derby rivals the USA something to worry about/.
