For long periods of Canada’s World Cup Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina it looked like the co-hosts would come up short, but striker Cyle Larin came off the bench and calmed their nerves with an equalizer that secured a glorious first point.
Playing in the country’s first men’s World Cup match at home, the Canadians enjoyed most of the possession and created plenty of chances.
However, a Jovo Lukic goal for the Bosnians in the 21st minute left the World Cup co-hosts in a deep hole and it was up to Larin to dig them out of there.
After spending 76 minutes stewing on the bench after being left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting XI, Southampton striker Larin had something to prove and scored less than three minutes after coming on with an excellent turn and shot.
“I mean, I want to play every game and I’ve been working all those seasons at my club to play every game, but sometimes you don’t have control, but I have to show it when I go into the game, and today I showed that I should play,” he told Canadian television.
Canada enjoyed a lot of success attacking down the wings and getting the ball into the box, but their attack lacked a dominant focal point and Bosnia’s defense was able to deal with most of what was thrown at them with relative ease.
That changed when Larin, 31, injected much-needed composure and control into a brave Canadian display, scoring a goal that put them in a good position heading into their next match against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18.
“I think we have to stay focused at all times, and that’s the World Cup,” Larin said. “I think we lost a goal on a set piece and we just (needed) to take advantage of this game.
“We’ll be playing at home again, in Vancouver, and we just have to push the limit and be killers with the ball.”
Despite appearing under pressure from the expectant home fans for most of the match, defender Alistair Johnston said they proved to be a key factor in the Canadian comeback.
“I felt like they probably put the ball in the net for us… we’re going to have to keep building on that. We’re going to need this crowd with us,” he told Canadian television.
