• Submitted by: lena campos
• Sports
• 06 / 10 / 2012

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Canada's players celebrate after Oliver Ocean, partially covered by teammates, scored against Cuba during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game. Canada's players celebrate after Oliver Ocean, partially covered by teammates, scored against Cuba during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game.

Neither an untimely sending off nor horrendous pitch conditions could derail Canada in its latest chase of an elusive World Cup berth.

Olivier Occean scored in the second half and 10-man Canada held on for a 1-0 win over Cuba to kick off the second stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Friday.

Occean scored the game's only goal in the 54th minute. David Edgar's well-placed cross from the right side was neatly headed by Occean past Cuban goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper.

The goal was timely, as Canada went down to 10 men shortly after when goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld was given a straight red card for handling the ball outside the Canadian box.

It was fitting that Canada's winning goal came in the air, as the condition of the pitch at Estadio Pedro Marrero in Havana made it tough for the teams to get any sort of flow going.

"I would not know how to describe the field. It's not even playable," Occean said. "We came out with a big win and that's important for us."

Canadian head coach Stephen Hart said the field could play havoc for Cuba's other opponents in qualification.

"It was difficult for the players today — very, very difficult," Hart said.

"I think Cuba are going to take points from anybody that they play here. A lot of teams that have a passing game and passing patterns are going to struggle."

After training Thursday captain Kevin McKenna had called it the worst pitch he had ever played on. Those conditions combined with the hot and humid weather could have tripped up the Canadians — many of which play professionally in Europe on perfectly manicured fields.

But as the game kicked off at the stadium built in 1929, and the teams emerged from the ramshackle, sheet-metal roofed tunnel, the skies were overcast and there was a solid wind that made things tolerable.

"It was definitely hot but we did a good training camp in Florida and there wasn't much difference there," Edgar said. "The little breeze helped but it was just brilliant. Those are the things we have to overcome in CONCACAF."

Anything short of three points would have been a disappointment to a Canadian side looking to make the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Canada now has four wins and a draw in its last five matches against Cuba.

Canada is ranked 77th in the world and Cuba is 145th.

Source: CBC.ca