Canada draw against Bahrain ahead of FIFA World Cup

Canada, stripped of some of its best players, drew Bahrain 2-2 in a preseason game ahead of the FIFA World Cup on Friday.

After Bahrain took a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute with a penalty, the tiny Persian Gulf state was stunned due to their inability to clear the ball. CF Montreal’s Zachary Brault-Guillard fired a cross pass that ricocheted off the leg of Lucas Cavallini and an opposing defender, before ending up deep in the Bahrain net.

Maple leaf representatives took the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the playing conditions which are likely to be similar in Qatar. It was 29 degrees Celsius when kick-off at 6:30 p.m. local time on the lawn of Al-Khalifa Stadium.

Canada, ranked 41st in the world, faced Bahrain, 85th. He controlled possession of the ball for most of the game, and he even took control early in the game, but an error by CF Montreal defender Joel Waterman allowed the hosts to finish the first half at 1- 1.

Bahrain then took a 2-1 lead in the second half, when Abdulla Yusuf converted her penalty. The golden opportunity came after CF Montreal player Alistair Johnston tripped Mohamed Marhoon at the entrance to the penalty area.

Another CF Montreal player, Ismaël Koné, had opened the scoring for Canada in the sixth minute of play. It was his first goal with the Canadian formation, in his fourth meeting with them.

Canada will reveal its roster for the World Cup on Sunday after head coach John Herdman, who had employed 39 players during the qualifying phase, completed his consideration for the 26 available positions. Some decisions have imposed themselves; goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and defender Scott Kennedy will not be able to participate in the World Cup due to injuries.

The Canadians will play a final preseason game on November 17 against Japan in Dubai, before beginning their World Cup journey in Qatar, meeting No. 2 Belgium on November 23.

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