Canada’s Men’s National Team came back from a goal down to register a well-deserved 1:1 draw with Bulgaria on Friday in their first men’s international friendly of 2014 in Ritzing, AUT.
Andrey Galabinov gave Bulgaria the lead in the 18th minute when he capped off a passing play that unlocked a Canadian back line that otherwise but in a very strong performance. But Atiba Hutchinson brought Canada level from the penalty spot ten minutes later as Canada easily could have had a few more in the first half.
Bulgaria jumped in front minutes after Canada had the best chance to score when Hutchinson put Randy Edwini-Bonsu through but the speedy winger had his shot well saved by Bulgarian goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov.
After conceding, Canada kept pressing and were rewarded for their positive play when Tosaint Ricketts drew a penalty off a corner kick when a Bulgarian player was called for a dangerous play with a high boot on the Canadian forward.
Hutchinson coolly stepped up and went to Stoyanov’s left that sent Canada on their way.
Minutes later, Canada kept coming and Simeon Jackson had a curling right-footed shot saved.
They weren’t done there as Hutchinson, who was the most influential player on the night, created two more chances for Canada with just over ten minutes remaining when he put Ricketts in on goal. Ricketts had his initial shot saved but it wasn’t held and Edwini-Bonsu was there on the follow up but again Stoyanov kept Bulgaria from going a goal down with another save.
In the second half, Bulgaria stepped up their game and put the Canadian back line under a great deal of pressure but they more than adequately repelled repeated attacks.
Bulgaria’s main way of attack was through hitting players making overlapping runs, but with Canada stepping up to defend those attacks, Bulgaria tried crossing in from the wings but again, Canada stoutly defended.
Canada will rest and recover on Saturday before ramping up preparations for their second friendly in Austria as they take on Moldova.
In other more pressing news, the Killarney elementary school girl's fusbal team narrowly edged the Windemere rockets 2-1. Both teams stayed around afterwards and ate oranges.
