The Canadian men’s soccer team bowed out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Thursday with a 2-1 loss to Jamaica in the quarterfinals, but at least they recorded an impressive highlight along the way. That was thanks to Cardiff City midfielder David “Junior” Hoilett, who scored his first goal for Canada in his 16th appearance, and did so in style:
This might be the goal of the tournament. Thoughts? Junior Hoilett gets one back for #CAN (Via @UnivisionSports)pic.twitter.com/qmgFLTyd1p
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) July 21, 2017
Let’s see that in GIF form:
Beauty from Junior Hoilett 👏#canMNT #JAMvCAN #GoldCup2017 pic.twitter.com/8zhwpSs1Dh
— Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) July 21, 2017
That’s a beautiful strike from a decent range, and it’s perfectly placed, dropping just into the top right corner. It wasn’t enough for Canada; they gave up goals in the sixth and 50th minutes, and although they generated some further pressure after Hoilett’s goal, they weren’t able to again beat Jamaican keeper Andre Blake. But it was a nice highlight at least, and although they end the tournament with just one win (over French Guiana, no less), they did do okay in draws against Honduras and Costa Rica. And at least the 27-year-old Hoilett notched his first goal for his country, and gave a glimpse of what he can do. It’s interesting that this came against Jamaica, too, where Hoilett’s parents are from, as their soccer federation’s Twitter account noted:
Junior Hoilett of Canada who is born to Jamaican parents pulls one back for Canada. Jamaica's lead is cut in half.
Jamaica 2-1 Canada
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) July 21, 2017
Jamaica may have won the night, and they’ll move on to play the victor of tomorrow’s Mexico-Honduras match Sunday, but at least Hoilett gave Canada something to be happy about.
[Farhan Devji on Twitter]
