‘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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.