Republished November 12, 2014 - 5:17 PM
Original Publication Date November 12, 2014 - 2:00 PM
BOURNEMOUTH, England - Jordan Hamilton scored in second-half stoppage time to lift the Canadian under-20 soccer team to a 2-2 tie with England on Wednesday.
Hamilton's goal came on a volley after a Canadian free kick was stopped. The 18-year-old Toronto FC striker is currently on loan to C.D. Trofense in Portugal's second tier.
"I thought the boys did terrifically well to come back, going a goal down twice, it shows terrific spirit among the group, said manager Rob Gale. "But above all I thought it was football game. Both teams looked to try and play, obviously got good quality players on the opposition but for all the quality there, we were difficult to break down.
"I think we outchanced them overall so I was delighted for the lads. I think it was absolutely just rewards when we got the equalizer."
Midfielder Michael Petrasso of England's Notts Country scored in the 49th minute for Canada, which went behind twice before 6,986 at Goldsands Stadium. Petrasso took a nice through ball from Toronto FC's Manny Aparico and raced 40 yards to goal before calmly finishing the play.
Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom opened the scoring for England from close range in the 15th minute before local favourite Baily Cargill of AFC Bournemouth made it 2-1 with another header off a corner in the 85th minute.
The Canadian team is in Europe to prepare for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in January in Jamaica.
Next up for Gale's team are games in Marbella, Spain, against Russia on Saturday and the U.S. on Nov. 18.
"We can build on this, there's still stuff to improve on, but we're going in the right direction for sure," said Gale.
England was coming off winning the Four Nations Tournament last month, posting wins over host Netherlands and Germany and a tie with Turkey.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014