1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF–OFC play-off)

Football match between Canada and Australia June 2018 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF–OFC play-off) 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification Canada Canada 30px 3 Australia Australia 30px 3 3–3 on aggregateAustralia won 4–1 on penalties First leg 2 1 31 July 1993 Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico) 27,775 Second leg 1 2 After extra time 15 August 1993 Sydney Football Stadium Sydney Shin'ichirō Obata (Japan) 25,982 The 1994 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF–OFC qualification play-off was an association football match played over two legs between Australia and Canada. The first leg was played at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, on 31 July 1993; the second leg was played on 15 August 1993 at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Both teams had played in their regional qualifiers to qualify for the play-off. The Canadians played in twelve matches in North American qualifying across two rounds. After finishing second in their second-round group to El Salvador, they qualified to the final round where they finished second by three points to Mexico. Australia played in six matches across two rounds in Oceania qualifying. After winning their group, they defeated New Zealand across two legs to make it to the play-off. After Canada won the opening leg 2–1 at Edmonton, Australia took a 2–1 lead in the return leg at Sydney. With the resulting aggregate tie, the game headed into extra time which was scoreless. This meant that the match went to penalties with Australia advancing through to meet South American Group 1 runner-up, Argentina which they would go on to lose 2–1 on aggregate in the play-off. Background Canada and Australia were two of the 147 teams that competed for the 22 spots that was in the 1994 FIFA World Cup which was held in the United States. The national teams were separated into their regional confederations with spots being allocated for that confederation.http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mcwc/fifaworldcuppreliminaryhistory_byyear__13876.pdf History of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition (by year) 27 July 2007 32 FIFA.com Fédération Internationale de Football Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20180612164508/https://es.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mcwc/fifaworldcuppreliminaryhistory_byyear__13876.pdf 12 June 2018 Canada 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF) Canada began their 1994 qualification in the second round after receiving a bye in Round 1 and was put in Group B with Bermuda, El Salvador and Jamaica.http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=84/preliminaries/preliminary=79/index.html 1994 FIFA World Cup USA Preliminaries dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131231074819/http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=84/preliminaries/preliminary=79/index.html 31 December 2013 26 May 2020 They opened their 1994 campaign with two draws away from home. In Kingston, Dale Mitchell scored the equalizer against Jamaica in the 85th minute after Hector Wright had scored a goal for Jamaica seven minutes earlier.Canada, Jamaica tie one all in soccer Associated Press (AP) B11 19 October 1992 The Toronto Star The following week, Colin Miller scored the late equalizer in San Salvador to tie the match 1-all against El Salvador after conceding a goal in the 32nd minute from Jorge González.Canada earns late tie in World Cup qualifier The Canadian Press (CP) D19 26 October 1992 The Toronto Star At their first home game in Toronto, Canada recorded their first win in their campaign with a 1–0 win over Jamaica off the back of a 53rd-minute goal from Mitchell which put Canada in first place in their group.Canada scores big win in World Cup qualifying Norman Da Costa D1 2 November 1992 The Toronto Star A 3–2 loss at home to El Salvador,Canada loses to El Salvador in last minute CP B3 9 November 1992 The Toronto Star was followed by a hat-trick from Alex Bunbury in the first half, becoming the first Canadian to score one in a competitive international match. Geoff Aunger sealed the 4–2 result for Canada over Bermuda.Bunbury does trick for Canada Archie McDonald D3 16 November 1992 The Toronto Star The final match of the second round saw Canada earn a clean sheet with a nil all draw over Bermuda in Hamilton.Canadian team advances with tie in Bermuda Bob Koep D7 16 November 1992 The Toronto Star For Canada they finished in second place with seven points and advanced to the third round. In the third round, they were drawn to play El Salvador, Mexico and Honduras with only the winner to qualify through to the World Cup. Their opening match in the third round against Honduras saw John Catliff open the scoring after Honduran goalkeeper Belarmino Rivera brought down Paul Peschisolido. Rodolfo Richardson Smith scored the equaliser for Honduras from a penalty before Bunbury gave the Canadians the lead once again. A late converted penalty caused by a Mark Watson handball saw the Canadian coach Bob Lenarduzzi confront the Jamaican referee after the match.Canada, Honduras play to tie Canadian Press–Associated Press D5 5 April 1993 The Toronto Star The following match in Burnaby saw goals from Bunbury and Catliff give Canada a 2–0 win over El Salvador as they moved to the top of the group after two games.Canada blanks El Salvador for soccer lead Canadian Press–Associated Press D6 12 April 1993 The Toronto Star Their second match in Burnaby got off to a shaky start with Alex Pineda scoring the game's opening goal for Honduras against the run of play. Domenic Mobilio scored the equaliser in the 51st minute before a misplayed ball from Honduran goalkeeper Dangelo Bautista gave Canada the lead in the 61st minute. John Catliff secured the 3–1 victory for Canada over Honduras, who ended the match with nine players.Canada 'sorry' about victory CP–AP D9 19 April 1993 The Toronto Star Canada suffered their first loss of the final round with a trip to Mexico City ending in a 4–0 defeat to Mexico after Ramón Ramírez scoring two goals in the first half. In the second half, Luis Flores and Alberto García each scored a goal to secure the victory.Canadians suffer soccer 'nightmare' Norman Da Costa D7 26 April 1993 The Toronto Star The following match in San Salvador, Catliff opened the scoring in the 27th minute to give Canada the lead. El Salvador tied the game in the 58th minute when González controlled a loose ball and scored. Two minutes later, Mobilio scored the winner to set up a must–win match against Mexico.Canada-Mexico showdown all set B5 3 May 1993 The Toronto Star Playing at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Alex Bunbury opened the scoring for the Canadians in the 17th minute off a John Catliff assist. A mix-up in the Canadian backline gave Mexico the equalizer in the 34th minute with Hugo Sanchez lashing an unstoppable drive past Craig Forrest. Despite Canada's efforts to re-take the lead with an all-out offence in the second half, Mexico claimed the victory with six minutes left of the match with substitute Francisco Javier Cruz slotting the ball into an open net.Mexico spoils Canada's bid for Cup berth D1 Norman Da Costa 10 May 1993 The Toronto Star Canada ended in second place with seven points, three points behind Mexico who qualified through to the 1994 World Cup. Australia 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC) Australia began their qualifying campaign on 4 September 1992 with an away trip to Honiara, to play the Solomon Islands. In the tropical heat, Australia's Carl Veart scored the opening goal in the eighth minute of the game before the team struggled to keep possession of the ball. Solomon Islands' persistence tied the game with Hollies Vato heading a goal. Australia replied three minutes later with a Tom McCulloch goal that sealed the 2–1 victory.Socceroos defy tropical heat with late goal Mary-Louise O'Callaghan 5 September 1992 69 The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728324/socceroos-defy-tropical-heat-with-late/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 One week later, the team travelled to French Polynesia to take on Tahiti in what was their second game in a World Cup qualifier. After Alistair Edwards returned to the Australian team from Malaysia, he contributed two goals with Damian Mori and Carl Veart also scoring. Paul Wade sealed the victory for Australia with a goal in the 57th minute to win the match 3–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728334/roos-cruise-to-cup-victory/ Roos cruise to cup victory 13 September 1992 97 The Sydney Morning Herald Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 The final two games of the first round were played in Australia with the first match taking place on 20 September 1992 in Brisbane against Tahiti. Carl Veart scored his third goal of the qualifying campaign in the 11th minute after Ricky Fassian could not hold the ball. Mehmet Durakovic scored the winner in the 62nd minute from a 40-metre shot which was deflected off Layton and looped over Fassian's head to seal the 2–0 victory despite being a man down earlier in the game due to a red card to Mike Peterson.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728340/socceroos-offer-little-style-in/ Socceroos offer little style in lacklustre display Michael Cockerill Mike Cockerill 21 September 1992 26 The Sydney Morning Herald Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 The final match of the first round saw six different Australia goalscorers in a 6–1 rout over the Solomon Islands at Newcastle. After Aytec Genc scored the opener in the fifth minute of play, the Solomon Islands hit straight back with Tony Franken being stranded as Charles Ashley shot past him. Initially unable to take back the lead after the first half, Australia scored five goals in the space of 28 minutes. Ian Gray, Wade, Veart, Greg Brown and Durakovic scored to give Australia eight points from eight.Aussies win 6–1 27 September 1992 93 The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728346/aussies-win-61/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 This meant Australia had qualified to take on New Zealand for a spot in the play-offs. In the first leg at Auckland, the Australians secured a 1–0 victory with the goal coming in the 55th minute from Graham Arnold.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728354/arnold-strikes-but-socceroos-may-lose/ Arnold strikes, but Socceroos may lose Farina Michael Cockerill 31 May 1993 42 The Sydney Morning Herald Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 The second leg in Melbourne saw Australia score two goals in the first three minutes of the game, with Veart and Robbie Slater giving Australia a three-goal lead in the tie. A Ned Zelic goal in the second half sealed the match 3–0 and the tie 4–0 to qualify through to the play-off.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728357/kiwi-bogey-laid-to-rest-and-now-for/ Kiwi bogey laid to rest – and now for Canada Michael Cockerill 7 June 1993 40 The Sydney Morning Herald Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 First leg Summary right|thumb|150px|Mark Schwarzer (pictured here in 2010) made his international debut in the first leg. The first leg of the play-off was played at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on 31 July 1993 before a crowd of 27,775. Canada had the first shot of the game in the 5th minute with a Bunbury volley hitting the crossbar. Ten minutes later, the Australians lost goalkeeper Robert Zabica to a red card after colliding into Canadian midfielder Dale Mitchell. Mark Schwarzer, who was called up after first choice goalkeeper Mark Bosnich declined to leave Aston Villa, debuted for Australia as a substitute for Milan Blagojevic.Pressure on Socceroos after World Cup defeat Michael Cockerill 2 August 1993 36, 38 The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728369/pressure-on-socceroos-after-world-cup/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 Eddie Thomson later quoting after the press-conference stating, "I would like to study the video before making my mind up on the foul, but what I am positive about is that it doesn't take two minutes to send a goalkeeper off in a situation like that." This red card also forced Robbie Slater to play right fullback. With a minute left in the first half, the Australians opened the scoring with an own goal from Canadian defender Nick Dasovic. A cross from Ned Zelic glanced off Dasovic's head into the net with barely any Australians around. The second half saw the Canadians levelling the game in the 51st minute with Mark Watson scoring a goal as he took advantage of the one man advantage. Seven minutes later, Canada took the lead after Domenic Mobilio scored a goal in what he later described as "a huge scramble. We had three or four shots in a row."Mobilio gives Canada key win CP E5 1 August 1993 The Toronto Star The Socceroos dug in to avoid conceding a third goal as they battled in the last 30 minutes to keep the difference to only one goal. Details 31 July 1993 15:30 UTC–6 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff First leg Canada 2–1 Report Australia Watson 50 Mobilio 57 Dasovic 44 o.g. Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton 27,775 Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico) _can93h _can93h _can93h _whitebottom _whitestripe ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 Canada _aus93h _aus93h _aus93h _aus93h _adidas_thick_stripes_green ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 Australia GK Craig ForrestDF Frank YallopDF Mark WatsonDF Nick Dasovic45DF Mike SweeneyMF Lyndon HooperFW Dale MitchellDF Colin Miller (c) FW Alexander BunburyFW Domenic MobilioMF John Limniatis45Substitutions:FW Carl Valentine 45MF Norman Odinga 45Manager: CAN Bob Lenarduzzi GK Robert Zabica 0 17DF Ned ZelicMF Paul OkonMF Robbie SlaterDF Milan Blagojevic 17DF Alexander TobinFW Frank FarinaMF Aurelio Vidmar 70FW Graham Arnold (c)MF Jason van BlerkDF Mehmet DurakovicSubstitutions:GK Mark Schwarzer 17MF Jason Polak 70Manager:SCO Eddie Thomson Second leg Summary The second leg of the play-off was played at the Sydney Football Stadium on 15 August 1993 before a crowd of 25,982. Defender Randy Samuel was brought back into the Canadian squad from a one-game suspension which ruled him out of the first leg in Edmonton.Samuel gives Canada boost against Australia Norman Da Costa D8 11 August 1993 The Toronto Star Tony Vidmar and Milan Blagojevic were added to the starting lineup for Australia.Changed Socceroos to show their pedigree 14 August 1993 Michael Cockerill 78 The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52630755/starting-lineups-for-australia-vs/ Newspapers.com 2 June 2020 The first half of the match was dominated by Australia with them outshooting Canada 10–1. Australia was later rewarded at the brink of half-time with Frank Farina scoring the opening goal from an overhead kick. Quoted after the match, Farina said, "The first half was the best I've ever seen from an Australian team, and only superb play from Forrest kept us out."Canada's Cup dream ends in shootout CP C5 16 August 1993 The Toronto Star A half-time substitution from Canada brought in Carl Valentine for Mobilio and the tactical change worked with Lyndon Hooper scoring the goal in the 54th minute while on the run as the ball was deflected off Schwarzer's gloves and inside the far net to give Canada the lead on aggregate.Socceroos KO Canada in penalty shoot Michael Cockerill 16 August 1993 39 The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728376/socceroos-ko-canada-in-penalty-shoot/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 In the 76th minute, Dave Mitchell was brought on to replace Robbie Slater and it only took a minute before winning an aerial play against Samuel with Slater passing Mehmet Duraković the ball and Australia the lead as he scored into an unguarded net after the ball went over Forrest's head. Thirty minutes of extra time failed to break the 3–3 aggregate deadlock which saw Grant Needham stretchered off after colliding with Duraković, and the match went into penalties. From there, Schwarzer saved two critical shots from Bunbury and Mike Sweeney as he aided in the Australian victory with Farina sealing it with his shot. Details 15 August 1993 Second leg 16:00 UTC+10 Australia 2–1 y Report Canada Farina 45 Durakovic 77 Hooper 54 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 25,982 Shin'ichirō Obata (Japan) Wade A. Vidmar Tobin Farina 4–1 Mitchell Bunbury Sweeney _aus93h _aus93h _aus93h _aus93h _adidas_thick_stripes_green ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 Australia _can93h _can93h _can93h _whitebottom _whitestripe ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 Canada GK 20 Mark SchwarzerDF 19 Tony VidmarDF 4 Ned Zelic 100MF 11 Robbie Slater 76DF 13 Mehmet DurakovicDF 12 Milan BlagojevicDF 5 Alexander TobinFW 7 Frank FarinaMF 8 Aurelio VidmarFW 9 Graham Arnold (c)MF 10 Jason van BlerkSubstitutions:FW David Mitchell 76MF Paul Wade 100Manager:SCO Eddie Thomson GK 1 Craig ForrestDF 2 Frank YallopDF 16 Mark WatsonDF 3 Mike SweeneyDF 5 Randy SamuelDF 4 Nick Dasovic 108MF 8 Lyndon Hooper FW 11 Dale MitchellDF 6 Colin Miller (c)FW 14 Domenic Mobilio 45FW 9 Alex BunburySubstitutions:FW Carl Valentine 45FW Grant Needham 108Manager: CAN Bob Lenarduzzi Aftermath After the second leg, Canadian manager Bob Lenarduzzi was quoted saying, "Although we are disappointed, I don't think we let anybody down." He later added, "we're all pulling for them because the farther they go, the better it makes us look." The Australian coach, Eddie Thomson, responded in his interview, "this was a win full of character; the whole team played really well." Australia went on to meet Argentina in the deciding play-off for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. After the first match ended in a 1–1 draw at Sydney,Honours even as Socceroos stay in hunt 34 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 November 1993 Michael Cockerill https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728378/honours-even-as-socceroos-stay-in-hunt/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 they would concede an own goal in the second leg with a deflection off Alex Tobin going over Robert Zabica's head and into the far side of the net to lose the tie 2–1 and have Australia eliminated from qualifying.Own goal and Maradona reduce Socceroos to tears 40 The Sydney Morning Herald 19 November 1993 Michael Cockerill https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51728384/own-goal-and-maradona-reduce-socceroos/ Newspapers.com 20 May 2020 It was not until 2005 that they won a World Cup play-off to qualify through to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, defeating Uruguay on penalties.Hello world, see you in Germany - Football Michael Cockerill The Sydney Morning Herald 34 17 November 2005 After subsequent failed attempts to qualify for the FIFA World Cup through CONCACAF, Canada finally qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on 27 March 2022 after having beaten Jamaica 4–0 in Toronto, ending a 36-year drought since its first qualification in 1986.https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-world-cup-qualifying-canada-jamaica-march-27-1.6399334 Canadian men qualify for 1st World Cup since 1986 with shutout victory on home soil CBC March 27, 2022 References 1994 Play-off Play-off Category:1993–94 in Australian men's soccer World Category:Australia men's national soccer team matches Category:Canada men's national soccer team matches play-off Category:1993 in sports in Alberta Category:1993 in sport in Sydney Category:1990s in Edmonton Category:Men's soccer matches in Australia Category:Men's soccer matches in Sydney Category:Soccer matches in Canada Category:Soccer in Edmonton Category:July 1993 sports events in Canada Category:August 1993 sports events in Australia Category:Men's international association football matches in North America Category:Men's international association football matches in Oceania