‘This is huge’: Windsorites cheer on Team Canada’s men’s soccer team
Soccer fans came out in droves Wednesday for the first game in Canada’s historic return to the World Cup.
“I remember ‘86 the last time they went. It’s just mind-blowing that they’re there,” said Mike Whaley a member of the Voyageurs, the official fan club of Canadian soccer. “I’ve been a hardcore fan for 11 years. It’s special.”
Whaley was one of the people watching the World Cup action on TSN inside the Manchester Pub in downtown Windsor.
“This crowd here, it’s just mind-blowing,” he said.
It was standing room only with every television tuned into the game for nearly two hours Wednesday.
Among them, Marjorie Sakalo, who's interview with CTV News was drowned out several times by the excited crowd.
“It’s amazing! People from all generations (and) all ethnicities, people that might have cheered for Italy but we’re Canada today,” she said.
“This is huge for Soccer Canada,” said Shane McGowan who believes Canadians are starting to realize what a great sport soccer is.
“It's not just (like) hockey. ‘Skate fast. Go hard.’ It's a chess match, and I think the rest of Canada is catching on,” said McGowan.
“I wish I was in Qatar right now but I’m not, I’m here with my people,” said Tayo Ajasa. “I’m Nigerian by birth but like I’m Canadian now, I’m Nigerian-Canadian now you get me? It’s Canada all the way and we’ve waited so long for this!”
Although the crowd would go home disappointed with a 1-0 loss for Canada, they are still proud of the red and white.
“I’m supporting Team Canada in our first World Cup in a long time,” said Sakalo.
“We are lucky this year,” said Sonny Saadat, owner of Flag and Sign Depot in Windsor, who needed to buy Soccer Canada flags for the World Cup for the first time in his company’s 30-year history.
“Every four years (this is) happening. So we have lots of customers. New customers and (old ones come back). That's the advantage of the World Cup,” said Saadat.
The Flag & Sign Depot has flags of all World Cup soccer countries in stock in Windsor Ont. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.