TORONTO, Canada -- In a game that may have seemed a bit familiar, Canada rolled past Cuba 6-0 Saturday to get its Concacaf Nations League journey in Group A of League A off to a bang at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
The teams met during last summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, with Canada topping Cuba 7-0. Junior Hoilett was the star player on this occasion, with his 82nd-minute penalty capping off a hat trick, but Jonathan Osorio also had a good showing with a goal and a pair of assists.
At halftime, it looked like it may be a little different story, with Hoilett’s unassisted opener and Jonathan David’s stunning individual goal through goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez’s legs the only goals heading into the break.
But Hoilett scored another goal from long range, Osorio tapped-in after following up an attacking chance that initially went off the post and center back Doneil Henry scored from the run of play after venturing forward for an earlier set piece.
Cuba will hope it can generate more against a Canadian defense that allowed just one shot on Saturday.
The return leg is Tuesday with Cuba hosting Canada at the neutral site of the Cayman Islands.
