‘I’m a bit conflicted’: London-area Croatian community celebrates win, but sad Canada eliminated
Dozens of soccer fans packed the Croatian-Canadian Centre in south London, Ont. knowing that no matter the result on the pitch, it was really going to be a win.
Though their fans were stunned when Canada scored in the second minute of the game, they were elated the rest of the match as Croatia would go on to win 4-1, eliminating the Reds from advancing in the World Cup.
“I am conflicted personally,” says Stephen Sasar, president of the Croatian club.
“My roots are Croatian, but I was born in Canada. So I'm a little torn.”
Sasar, who was actually cheering for Croatia, just wished his two favourite teams could have been in different groups.
At the BMO Centre, there were so many fans watching the biggest game in Canadian Men’s Soccer history, they needed three rooms to house them all.
After the opening goal by Alphonso Davies (Canada’s first ever at the World Cup) there wasn’t much for the fans or kids in attendance to cheer about.
Croatian Soccer fans in London, Ont. were shocked when Canada scored 2 minutes into the match in London, Ont. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)“The start was probably the most exciting two minutes you could have,” says Garrett Peters, the women’s coach of London TFC.
“Everyone here was pretty excited. The boys did what they could but the pressure (from Croatia) was just too good for us.”
The 4-1 defeat means Canada still has zero points, and will not move on to round two. They will still face Morocco Thursday morning in their final match of their first World Cup in 36 years.
“It's going to be interesting to see what John Herdman does with the team and the selection because Thursday is definitely about getting World Cup experience now and experience on the top stage for those players,” says Adam Mooi, a Canadian soccer fan watching at BMO Centre.
The young fans watching kept up the spirit through the match, chanting and banging a drum in support.
“In any case, it's an awesome experience,” says Jonathan O’Neill, an academy coach with London TFC.
“I remember watching the World Cup with Ireland in it when I was 12 years of age. I remember the highs and lows of it and win lose or draw, you still have the memories, and I'm coaching some players in there who are going to have those same memories with Canada.”
Memories which include Alphonso Davies and his teammates celebrating – a moment 36 years in the making.
Hundreds of soccer fans cheer on Canada at BMO Centre in London, Ont. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.