By Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com

Match Report taken from www.canadasoccer.com plus some additional commentary and quotes.

"Canada's men's U-20 team mastered a 1:1 draw against world champions Argentina this afternoon in an international friendly match in Toronto. The Canucks scored the equaliser less than a minute after their opponents drew first blood in the one-year anniversary rematch at BMO Field.

It's not easy against a team like Argentina. When you've worked as hard as you have in the first half and things suddenly go wrong like that (to have a goal scored against you)," says coach Ray Clark. "To recover to get an equaliser is a great testament to (the team's) character."

Both sides had their chances in the first half, although Argentina definitely had the offensive edge. Fortunately, Canada's back four played a strong game and 16-year old goalkeeper Adam Street came up with some big saves, including one late in the half on forward Jonaton Lopez.

In the second half, Argentina finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute off a free kick outside the box. It was Lopez that headed the kick past goalkeeper Michal Misiewicz. Misiewicz, who came in at the half, got a hand on the ball, but not enough to keep the ball out.

Just one minute later, though, Canada put the home side back on even terms. Gabriel Gala made a nice cross that a diving Shaun Saiko headed into the net. The score was even 1-1.

Both sides were even to the end, although Canada picked up its play and created some chances that could have won the game. In the end, it was a good result to finish a 1:1 draw.

Canada wasn't favoured to win, in part because it was the first week that this group of players worked together. The team was also up against six-time world champions Argentina. On the other hand, Canada had the experience of three "veterans" that took part in last summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. Argentina, meanwhile, had no holdover players from its title run at Canada 2007."

A good result for an inexperienced group of players that were clearly boosted after their scrimmage result against TFC [reserves].

CA caught up with Paris Nakajima-Farran after the game, "We have consistancy all throught the team in defence and midfield and we have players who can step in so its going to be an interesting year in the run up to the next World Cup." PNF thought the team showed well, "their only goal came from a set play. We had promising moments in the game, wasn't a perfect game but it was our first run out and definitly a good start." He added, "We gelled well as a team and I think it was evident in our play and our work rate, we all worked hard for each other! "

It's pleasing that the CSA is starting preparations early and any time this group of players gets together ahead of the 2009 Qualifiers will be invaluable.
Paris agreed, "Hopefully the [game] against Argentina was our lowest level and in camps and games to follow we can continue to reach higher."

So, promising times for the U20's as they start to look ahead and the task of qualifying for a 5th consecutive tournament.

The starting line up was a 4-5-1. CSA site says 4-4-2, but it was the same formation used by the CMNT with a player in the pocket [Ed: similar to TFC if that helps].

G 1 Adam Street
D 3 Alex Suprenant
D 4 Marcus Haber
D 5 Nana Attakora-Gyan
D 12 Paris Nakajima-Farran
M 6 Shaun Saiko
M 7 Sean Rosa
M 8 Brandon Bonafacio
M 10 Gabriel Gala
AMF 9 Jarek Whiteman
F 11 Derek Gaudet

Subs:
Min. No. Canada X-#
46 22 Michal Misiewicz 1
46 14 Vladimir Vukovic 7
46 13 Joey Melo 11
60 17 Michael Pereira 6
79 16 Mozesh Gyorio 9

Goals:
'58 11 Jonaton Lopez
'59 6 Shaun Saiko

U20 Starting XI vs Argentina: Source: CSA