Canada 1, Azerbaijan 1 | 2016 International Friendly Recap

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Canada settled for a 1-1 draw in a friendly against Azerbaijan on Friday morning in Austria.

It was a bright start for Canada as FC Dallas striker Tesho Akindele put them ahead over Azerbaijan just before the halftime break. Midfielder Scott Arfield slipped a box across the box, which Akindele settled and struck back toward the far post.

Azerbaijan equalized after the halftime on a penalty kick called in the 57th minute when midfielder Dimitrij Nazarov easily put away his spot kick.

Box Score

• 43' - CAN - Tesho Akindele (Scott Arfield)
• 58' - AZE - Dimitrij Nazarov (PK)
• Full box score
• Stats

Three Things

EXPERIMENTING FOR THE FUTURE?: Canada coach Benito Floro played what appeared to be a somewhat experimental starting XI. Although Les Rouges had some injuries -- including to goalkeeper Milan Borjan, midfielder Will Johnson and usual defensive piece Atiba Hutchinson -- he also seemed to be trying out some new ideas, benching Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin andgiving forward Michael Petrasso his first start. Floro handed the start to goalkeeper Simon Thomas, considered Canada's third-string choice. Notably, New York Red Bulls defender Karl Ouimetteplayed his first minutes since the shocking kick to the back that left one USL player suspended from the lower-division league for the season.

A MIXED RESULT: Canada is ranked No. 93 is the latest FIFA world rankings, which came out on Thursday, while Azerbaijan is ranked No. 138. From that standpoint, Canada won't be too happy with the draw. But the fact that this wasn't Canada's best-possible line-up should be of comfort to Canadian fans. After all, Les Rouges did still largely dominate, holding the advantage in possession(60 percent to 40 percent) and shots (11-8), and Azerbaijan only found the net on a penalty kick.

AGGRESSIVE AKINDELE: Although the match may have lacked fireworks, Tesho Akindele did his part to keep things interesting. His goal for Canada was a composed, clean finish and the FC Dallas striker was Canada's most aggressive attacking threat all day. In the 24th minute, he ripped a shot off the crossbar that may linger in the minds of Canada fans who wanted to see their side earn a confidence-boosting win in an important World Cup qualifying year.

Up Next

CAN: International friendly on Friday, June 7 vs. Uzbekistan at Thermenstadion (10 a.m. ET)

Tesho Akindele Goal Gives Canada Draw with Azerbaijan in International Friendly

Canada is now winless in its last five international games after a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan in Austria during an international friendly. The national team has not won since a 1-0 victory over Honduras in November World Cup qualifying.

Tesho Akindele scored the lone goal of the game for Canada. Dimitrij Nazarov replied for Azerbaijan, who are ranked 138th in the world, from the penalty spot.

Canada is currently in camp preparing for September World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and El Salvador. This was the first of two friendlies they will play as part of this camp in Austria.

Both sides struggled to find cohesive play early in the match, Canada in particular. Missing several key midfielders, including Will Johnson and Atiba Hutchinson, Canada struggled to move the ball through the midfield in the early part of the match.

Azerbaijan had the better share of the match's early chances, although the majority of their shots came from distance. Simon Thomas was rarely threatened in the Canadian goal and comfortably saved anything that Azerbaijan was able to direct on target.

Canada's first big chance came in the 22nd minute when Akindele of FC Dallas sent a cross box shot off the crossbar. Scott Arfield was the architect of the majority of what Canada did offensively, as the Burnley midfielder had a strong half in the centre of the midfield.

It was he who created the breakthrough for Canada as he poked the ball from the top of the box through for Akindele, who put Canada up 1-0 just before halftime. It was Akindele's second goal for Canada since joining the national team last year.

Azerbaijan got on the board early in the second half when Karl Ouimette was called for a foul in the Canadian box. Nazarov stepped up to the penalty and scored the goal to tie the game 1-1.

Looking to get back in the lead, Canada made several attack-minded subs as Junior Hoilett, Marcus Haber and Simeon Jackson all came on. Curiously, first-choice strikerCyle Larin remained on the bench for the duration of the match.

Canada would manage just one more real chance, however: a Ouimette header off a corner from Arfield which forced a save from the Azerbaijani keeper. Otherwise, they struggled to put together play in the final third, and get on the end of numerous crosses from Hoilett down the left.

The Canadians will conclude their camp on Tuesday when they take on Uzbekistan, also in Austria. The Uzbeks will be a big test for Canada as the Asian country is currently ranked 66th in the world.