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What's the story?
Canada international Iain Hume took to Twitter to celebrate his U-20 team's quarters finish fourteen years ago, and claimed it to be the best team he ever played with although they fell short to Spain by one goal in that encounter.
In case you didn't know
Hume, who was born in Scotland, played international football for Canada and also represented Leicester City in his maiden stint in the Premier League for three years before he shifted to Barnsley in 2008.
The 34-year-old, who made his ISL debut with Kerala Blasters, and also played for Atletico de Kolkata (now ATK) in the second and third season of the ISL before moving back to the Blasters for the ongoing season of the ISL.
Heart of the Matter
In 2003, Canada's U20 squad had a lot to cheer about as they had qualified for the quarterfinals stage of the World Cup and were set to face a Spain-sized challenge led by Andres Iniesta.
Iniesta scored the opening goal of the game in the 35th minute, which applied early pressure on Canada. However, Iain Hume was soon to equalise with some magic of his own.
After intercepting a pass, Hume ran a couple of paces ahead, before sending rocketing in a shot from way outside the box, triggering wild celebrations on the ground.
With his arms stretched, Hume was mobbed by his teammates as Asier Riesgo, Spain's goalkeeper could not believe his luck. The striker had almost put Canada in the lead as well, when he struck a long-range free-kick onto the Spanish post.
Unfortunately for Canada though, Angel Javier Arizmendi, who came on as a substitute, scored the golden goal in extra time (95'), which meant that Canada wwere knocked out of the tournament.
However, Hume was undoubtedly the hero of the game and fourteen years since that famous moment, the forward took the opportunity to celebrate the moment and claimed that the Canadian U20 team that tournament was one of the most closely-knit teams he has ever played with.
What's Next?
Iain Hume will continue to feature for the Kerala Blasters in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League where he will hope to find some form and take the Blasters to their first win of the season.
Author's Take
Hume was one of the main reasons that Canada made it to the quarters in the 2003 Youth WC and it is good to see him reminiscing those time with his teammates.
