Canada's Men Achieve First FIFA U-17 World Cup Victory
Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute, and Marius Aiyenero converted a penalty during stoppage time as Canada secured a remarkable 2-1 win over Uganda on Wednesday. This marked Canada's first-ever victory in nine appearances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Match Summary
James Bogere put Uganda ahead in the 25th minute, celebrating the nation's debut goal at a FIFA tournament. However, Canada fought back in Doha, Qatar, with Roche, who had just made a crucial goal-saving tackle, heading in a corner from Aghilas Sadek to equalize late in the game.
After a video review, Uganda’s John Asiimwe was penalized for fouling Aiyenero in the penalty box. Aiyenero, playing for Los Angeles FC 2, successfully converted the penalty in the 98th minute, securing the winning goal.
Historical Context and Coach's Remarks
- Canada’s men's under-17 record improved to 1 win, 20 losses, and 4 draws in the tournament.
- The team has been outscored 71-13 across 25 games, including one own goal from Argentina.
“Tonight is a proud moment for our program,” said Canada head coach Mike Vitulano. “We wanted to set a new benchmark for the generations to come and did just that. The boys showed incredible character to come from behind, fight their way back and find a way to win late. It's a testament to their belief and togetherness. We'll enjoy this moment, but we're an ambitious group and our focus quickly shifts to preparing for the next match.”
Canada hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1987 but had never before won a match in this tournament until now.
This victory symbolizes a significant milestone and raises expectations for Canada's future in youth international soccer.