Piette and Taïder play and win three points for their country
The latest international window was a positive one for Impact players representing their country this weekend: midfielders Samuel Piette, with Canada, and Saphir Taïder, with Algeria, both saw some action and both won. On his end, Jukka Raitala, unavailable due to injury, received good news from his Finnish compatriots: his country topped its UEFA Nations League group, meaning it will be promoted for next season’s edition of the competition, and also qualified for the final tournament that could lead to a Euro 2020 participation.
Samuel Piette
Saint Kitts and Nevis 0-1 Canada
Concacaf Nations League qualification game
Still perfect in Nations League qualifying, Canada worked hard to win 1-0 over a stubborn Saint Kitts and Nevis side playing at home. Veteran midfielder Atiba Hutchinson scored with a header, putting an end to a three-year personal goal drought with the Reds, while Samuel Piette played the full 90 minutes. Canada is in good position to qualify for the competition’s League A, with nine points in three games, a goal differential of +14, and no goals against.
Saphir Taïder
Togo 1-4 Algeria
Africa Cup of Nations qualification game
Job done for the Algerians, who beat Togo 4-1 away to clinch group D and secure their spot in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with one qualifying game to go. A 3-0 lead after half an hour of play certainly made it easier for the Desert Foxes. Saphir Taïder entered the game with 20 minutes to go in this convincing win.
