Canada pulling together with World Cup in sight
‘We had to make good on a tough day,’ coach says
Canada is embodying the team concept on the road to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Through the first nine games of the 14-game final Concacaf qualifying round, head coach John Herdman is getting major contributions throughout the lineup, and it has put Canada on the cusp of its first men’s World Cup since 1986.
With a 2-0 win on the road against Honduras on Thursday, Canada maintained top spot in the eightteam group ahead of the United States and Mexico, but, more importantly, extended the lead on fourthplace Panama to five points.
The top three teams move on to Qatar with the fourthplace team advancing to an intra-continental playoff against a team from the Oceanic region for an extra berth into the tournament.
“It wasn’t going to be a night where it was going to be the perfect night, we had to make good on a tough day, and that was the mentality I was setting them up with,” Herdman said following the victory. “The pitch; there were all sorts of things against us, and we did face a few things while we were here even prior to the game.
“So the mentality was that we weren’t looking for a perfect performance, but we wanted that professionalism in what would be a counter-attacking strategy and I thought they lived it. I think the biggest thing I’ve seen (Thursday) is that nextman up mentality. We’ve created a culture here where guys believe in each other, they trust each other.”
Canada has a number of rising stars on arguably the most talented men’s team ever fielded, but is spreading the wealth on this epic journey, which began nearly a year ago in the preliminary rounds.
Another strong performance against the U.S. at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Sunday would give Canada a foot into the World Cup tournament starting in November.
Thursday was the first time Canada won a World Cup qualifier in Honduras since 1985, en route to an appearance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Canada was without Bayern Munich standout Alphonso Davies and talented central midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, who is making the move to FC Porto in Portugal, yet was still able to pull out the victory against Honduras.
Winger Tajon Buchanan forced an own goal out of Honduras defender Denil Maldonado, while Jonathan David scored on an outstanding effort in the second half to put the game away.
Goalkeeper Milan Borjan was also outstanding, making a handful of fabulous diving saves to earn the shutout.
“I just think from the boys, it was a real disciplined performance,” Herdman said. “You don’t come here to try and play like Barcelona in a pitch like this, in these environments. You come here to grind results out, get what you need; a 2-0 performance and then ask players like (defender) Scott Kennedy for as long as he can, to manage the likes of (Alberth) Elis. You see where he sits in Europe at the moment (Bordeaux, French Ligue 1), he’s one of the top, top players in Europe in terms of his performance and goals.”
Steven Vitoria, Alistair Johnston and Kennedy were solid at the heart of the Canadian defence, while Buchanan and Sam Adekugbe were threats down the wings pushing forward. Samuel Piette, Junior Hoilett and veteran Atiba Hutchinson held the fort in midfield with Cyle Larin and David terrifying the Hondurans on the break.
Herdman also utilized all his allowable substitutes, bringing on Kamal Miller, Liam Fraser, Lucas Cavallini, Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea.
Fraser set up the second goal with an outstanding pass to spring David, who did the rest showcasing his dazzling skill.
“The reality of this performance, when you look at Honduras at home, they’re a different team at home,” Herdman said. “Their SG (shots on goal) is high, their total shots is going to be high.
“We knew coming and from that perspective, we had to match that quality. Our back five (Thursday) stood strong. They (Honduras) had some good moments, from flank areas, but the thing they never did is hurt us in that transitional moment.”
Canada is the only team in the region that has not lost a game during World Cup qualifying and goes into the contest against the Americans on a four-game winning streak.
They will be facing similar weather conditions in Hamilton that they did in Edmonton in November in victories against Costa Rica and Mexico at a packed Commonwealth Stadium.
“The important thing for us is that Canadians have grown up on plastic pitches in cold conditions,” Herdman said. “These boys they expect that now, it’s part of our DNA, it’s part of the journey. I just feel like that Hamilton stadium is going to feel tight and compact.
“I played England there with the women’s team, I remember beating them 1-0 and it was a good atmosphere, a real good energy in the stadium and it felt tight and we want the U.S. to feel that. So, whether it’s 12,000, I’m sure they’re going to make it sound like 30,000 and regardless of the pitch, this game against the U.S. is going to be a battle. It’s two teams that are desperate for three points and will do anything for it.”