Local World Cup fans take in Canada’s opening game (4 photos)

The intensity was palpable at the Road House Bar and Grill this afternoon as some local soccer (or football) fans hoped to watch Canada earn its first ever FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar.

Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Cyle Larin are just some of the names that headline Canada’s strongest ever men’s team as they took on Belgium, which is ranked second in the world standings.

Sault resident Andre Morin says he had been following the team throughout the qualifying games over the last year, and he’s excited to have the chance to watch them on the world stage.

“It’s been 36 years since they were last here, so it means a lot,” he says. “They’ve had lots of chances today; they were all over Belgium at the start. I never thought I’d watch them in the World Cup.”

A gentleman who was born in Belgium and has lived in the Sault for most of his life was watching the game at the Road House with a group of friends.

He says it’s a unique experience getting to watch the country he’s from go up against the country he’s lived in for most of his life.

“It’s really cool,” he says. “If Canada wins, it’s good too though. But they had their chance, and they blew it.”

Indeed they did. Despite a valiant effort with numerous opportunities Canada lost 1-0.