SAN SALVADOR — It wasn’t a packed house at the Estadio Cuscatlán but it was still an intimidating atmosphere and Canada was certainly full value for what could be a crucial road point after a scoreless draw against El Salvador.

Canada sits in a good position after two games in Group A in the CONCACAF semifinal round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying with four points, two back of Mexico, three and four points ahead of El Salvador, and Honduras, respectively.

“I'm a little bit disappointed because there were times in the game where we could have taken advantage. It was a winnable game,” said defender Adam Straith. “At the same time, they're a good team and it was a deserved draw.”

Canada was sharp at the back, only allowing a few chances from El Salvador, with FC Edmonton player Dustin Corea looking particularly dangerous. El Salvador pressed early while Canada remained compact and that early shape allowed Canada to get forward.

Cyle Larin had a volley go wide in the opening ten minutes and then had a header go off the bar late in the first half.

In between those chances, Junior Hoilett showed his pace to get to a loose ball and tried to chip El Salvador goalkeeper Henry Hernandez but it just went wide.

“That solid back four plus Milan (Borjan), it was brilliant to have guys like that behind you and know they’re going to work for you,” said captain Julian de Guzman, who made a Canadian men’s record-setting 85th appearance for Canada on Tuesday night. “That’s the same type of passion we need from everybody else.”

As is always the case in Central America, the fans make themselves heard early, creating an environment that is completely intimidating to those unaccustomed. In the San Salvador stadium, one of the sides of the field is known as ‘Vietnam’ for reasons none of the locals seem to know and where just about anything goes (literally). 

That side wasn’t full but it was electric and Canada did a good job to silence it—something the team will have to continue when it goes to Mexico and Honduras.