Group F: Belgium vs Canada (10 pm) Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

‘NOTHING TO LOSE, 100% FIT’ Canada coach says pressure good as The Reds set to make first WC appearance in 36 years

BACK in the World Cup for just the second time and the first time in 36 years, underdog Canada will head into their opener against second-ranked Belgium 100% fit and with nothing to lose, coach John Herdman said on Tuesday. Canada had been hit with a number of injury concerns in the run-up to Wednesday’s match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, including questions of whether Alphonso Davies had recovered from a hamstring strain that had taken the dynamic Bayern Munich left back out of action in early November.

Davies, who will play on the wing for Canada, only joined his team mates on Friday after staying back in Germany for treatment.

Herdman had said Davies would be assessed when he arrived in Doha and on Tuesday pronounced the 22-year-old good to go.

“When you speak to a player you have to look into their eyes and get a sense of what they want and how far they are willing to push,” Herdman said at his prematch press conference.

“You’ve got to ask the question, if not the first game what’s the risk, what’s the second game risk but at the end of the day Phonzie is fit now.

“He’s ready to go, he’s flying in training yesterday, enjoying himself.

“Canada is in the position now where we can field our strongest team. Everyone has came through well.

“It’s exciting times now, the dark clouds have shifted, this is our last training session where we will all be 100%.”

Herdman also confirmed first choice goalkeeper Milan Borjan and midfielder Stephen Eustaquio were also over nagging injuries.

With Maxime Crepeau already ruled out with a broken leg suffered in the MLS Cup final, Canada was facing a crisis in goal if Borjan, who has been bothered by an abdomen niggle, was unable to play leaving Herdman to choose from inexperienced backups in Dayne St. Clair and the uncapped James Pantemis.

“It’s been a great journey to get here (we’ve been) gritty and resilient and hopefully that’s what you will see from us this tournament,” said Herdman, whose other Group F opponents include 2018 finalists Croatia and Morocco. “Coming into a game like this we don’t have a great amount to lose.”

‘THAT’S VERY DANGEROUS’ Belgium coach says his side should be wary of a team that has nothing to lose

BELGIUM coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday said his side have “huge respect” for Canada who will be playing their first World Cup game for 36 years when the teams meet in Qatar.

Martinez’s side finished third in Russia four years ago and will be heavy favourites against Canada, playing at the finals for the first time since 1986, on Wednesday.

Belgium faced a similar proposition in 2018 when they beat tournament debutants Panama 3-0 in their opening game with three second-half goals.

“We have huge respect for what Canada have achieved because when you finish top of the (qualifying) group ahead of national teams such as United States and Mexico, it’s something with substance, it’s not a coincidence,” Martinez told a pre-match press conference. “That’s a very dangerous situation, when you’re playing a team with nothing to lose. We saw that with Panama for 50 minutes, and we have to match that enthusiasm.” Belgium, ranked second in the world behind Brazil, played a warm-up friendly against Egypt last week in Kuwait but lost 2-1.

“The friendly was important for us and we took that game almost as a competitive training session,” said Martinez.

“I think it was a very good starting point. “It’s good sometimes to feel like we’re not there yet. It was a wake-up for us. Probably that defeat will speed up the process.” Captain Eden Hazard has also struggled for game time at Real Madrid due to struggles with form and fitness.

But veteran defender Jan Vertonghen said Belgium would be ready, despite the unusual build-up to the first World Cup played midway through the European club season. “(Normally) you can close your season with your club and then have time to work with your (national) team, a team you don’t work with too much, and get a feel for the tournament,” he said. “Lots of teams have not played together since September and that is not good. “Things are entirely different but the World Cup trophy is the same and that’s the main thing.”