Deep into stoppage time, Angola broke Canadian hearts at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
After Canada fought back to equalize at 1-1, Angola's David found the back of the Canadian net in the 94th minute following a scramble inside the 18-yard box, giving Angola a 2-1 win. Canada fall to 0W-2L-0D in Group A of the U-17 World Cup. Toronto FC academy standout Jacen Russell-Rowe got the goal for his country.
Angola took the lead in the 31st minute through Zini as the young attacker flicked a header past 'keeper Marc Kouadio, who rushed off his line to collect a long, lofted ball but didn't get there in time.
Canada struck back in the second half when Russell-Rowe fired past the Angolan keeper at the near post in the 49th minute. It was the youngster's second goal of the tournament.
In the 90th minute, Zito latched onto a through ball and fired past Kouadio and thought that was the winner, but the goal was ruled back for offside. A few minutes later, VAR wouldn't come to the young Canadians' rescue.
Canada's next match comes on Friday, when they face New Zealand to close out Group A. New Zealand lost to Angola in their first match, and a win for Canada could potentially put them in contention to advance as one of the group stage's best third-placed teams.
“We came here to progress in the tournament, and we are still looking for our first win ever at this level. That first win has to come against New Zealand,” said U-17 manager Andrew Olivieri. “That could be enough to get us through, if we can get that win and close the goal difference, we may see ourselves achieve our objective.”
Canada lineup vs. Angola: Marc Kouadio, Kobe Franklin, Damiano Pecile, Gianfranco Facchineri, Nathan Demian, Kamron Habibullah, Ralph Priso-Mbongue, Jacen Russell-Rowe, Jayden Nelson, Keesean Ferdinand and Deandre Kerr
