Canada Men’s Team Maintains Unbeaten Streak at FIFA U17 World Cup With Scoreless Draw Against France

Canada’s U17 men’s soccer team continues its impressive performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. On Saturday, the team played to a scoreless draw against France, maintaining its unbeaten record in the tournament.

After finishing with an unfavorable record of 0-20-4 in their previous eight World Cup excursions, Canada has shown remarkable improvement this year. In their opening match, the Canadians secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Uganda, with crucial late goals from Elijah Roche and Marius Aiyenero.

Canada’s Journey at the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Currently, Canada holds a record of 1 win and 1 draw (1-0-1) in Group K, placing them second, just behind France on goal difference. Uganda and Chile trail the Canadians, both recording draws, with no wins so far.

Coach Mike Vitulano expressed pride in his team’s performance against France, recognizing their competitive spirit. “We showed we belong at this level,” Vitulano stated, highlighting the team’s belief and preparation leading into their next game.

Upcoming Matches and Knockout Stage Potential

Canada is poised to advance to the knockout stage for the first time. A victory or draw against Chile on the upcoming Tuesday will ensure their progression to the Round of 32. Even with a loss, qualification remains possible, depending on results in other matches.

Match Highlights Against France

• Tim Fortier was named the player of the match for his standout performance.
• Canada made several lineup changes, with Aiyenero, Shola Jimoh, and Johnny Selemani starting after coming off the bench in the previous match.
• The first half featured few chances, with a key defensive play by Roche to deny France’s Jah-Mason Telusson.
• French captain Abdoulaye Camara registered the first shot on goal, which was saved by Canadian goalkeeper Jonathan Ransom.
• In total, France outshot Canada 9-5, with 5 shots on target compared to Canada’s 1.

The expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, continues until November 27 across the Aspire Zone complex. The final is set to take place at Khalifa International Stadium.

Canada’s Road to Qualification

In February, the Canadian team earned its World Cup berth by topping their qualifying group with a flawless record of 4-0-0. They outscored their opponents 28-2, with both goals conceded coming from penalties.

As the tournament progresses, the Canadian squad is determined to capitalize on their current momentum as they prepare for the decisive match against Chile.