Massive challenge ahead for Canada heading into Azteca Stadium for World Cup qualifier

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Heading into the famed Azteca Stadium in Mexico Metropolis on Thursday, Canada head coach John Herdman is properly conscious of the huge problem to start the subsequent part of FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying.

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Canada has by no means gained in Mexico, and solely have one aim to indicate for its final seven visits to the nation. The final time Canada performed a World Cup qualifier in Azteca was in March 2016, dropping 2-0, which proved to be a modest end result contemplating the historical past between the groups. Canada has not crushed Mexico in a World Cup qualifier since a 1-0 victory in Vancouver in 1976.

This time, nonetheless, is likely to be totally different as Canada is fielding its most gifted staff in historical past and did give Mexico a scare on the Gold Cup semifinal in Houston in July, dropping 2-1 on a late aim, eight minutes into second-half stoppage time.

“For us, we are available right here with all the things to realize and nothing to lose, as a result of on the finish of the day, Canada is all the time meant to get beat in Mexico,” Herdman stated. “The one staff forward of us (in standings) is Mexico and so they’ve obtained all of the expectation. I feel this group of gamers are able to push to re-write that narrative.”

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Canada is enjoying within the remaining spherical of Concacaf World Cup qualifying for the primary time in almost 1 / 4 century, and commenced the marketing campaign with two attracts and a win from its first three video games. Canada additionally journey to face Jamaica on Sunday and host Panama on Wednesday at BMO Subject in Toronto on this present worldwide window.

Canada sit in a tie for second place with 5 factors together with the USA and Panama after three video games of qualifying.

The highest three groups after a 14-game home-and-away schedule routinely qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the fourth-place staff transferring on to an intercontinental two-game playoff towards one other area for an addition berth within the 32-team world showcase.

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Canada has certified for the lads’s World Cup solely as soon as, in Mexico in 1986, and need to get by to Qatar earlier than co-hosting the occasion with the USA and Mexico in 2026.

“I feel there are a variety of layers to this,” Herdman stated. “We’ve got to embrace the event, mentally. Going into the Azteca towards a formidable opponent, we have now to get the mentality proper. We’ve got to see this as a real alternative for our staff and our nation to step ahead, however to not be naive.

“It is a excellent Mexican staff, so tactically we have now to be wonderful, however consider we are able to win this match and that perception has to come back from the belief we are able to take from video games towards the U.S., that we’ve gained, video games towards Costa Rica that we’ve gained.”

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Canada got here near pulling off a victory towards Mexico on the Gold Cup in a hostile atmosphere on the NRG Stadium in Houston the place the gang of greater than 43,000 followers have been predominantly supporting Mexico.

Tajon Buchanan scored to tie the sport 12 minutes into the second half, which then become a whole gong present as the sport needed to be stopped because of the behaviour of some followers and the character of their homophobic chants.

Mexico had initially been banned from having followers at its first two World Cup qualifying video games at house, which might have meant the sport towards Canada would have been performed in an empty stadium. But, the FIFA agreed to cut back the punishment for just one recreation, which got here towards Jamaica in September, which means followers can be allowed into Azteca on Thursday.

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Regardless, having confronted Mexico in entrance of a hostile crowd this summer season, Herdman believes his facet is prepared for what a crowd in Azteca has to supply.

“I feel that group of males group by the Gold Cup, they obtained tighter, they bonded, nevertheless it was extra than simply the combat, it was extra than simply the grit, it was at occasions, sensible soccer; actually placing the Mexicans on the again foot for intervals of the sport,” Herdman stated. “The massive factor was seeing that little little bit of concern in that Mexican staff and that’s not one thing that I’ve ever seen earlier than. And also you sensed it there with a few of their time-wasting ways and I feel we all know we left a little bit of a mark there, you don’t neglect these issues.

“They’re going to convey a little bit of an depth now, Canada are an unknown bundle to them. They’re anticipating that is going to be a troublesome, robust match. They’ll elevate their depth and we’ve obtained to convey ours if we need to get this end result.”

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Canada had its full roster of gamers obtainable for the primary three video games of the ultimate qualifying spherical, however this time, Herdman’s alternatives are being impacted by damage and the potential for suspension. He additionally has two different video games to consider in fast succession, the place outcomes might be much more essential than towards Mexico.

“There are numerous groups in Concacaf which might be going by the identical issues,” Herdman stated. “Mexico appear like they’ve a great squad, they managed to get by all of the challenges they’d within the first spherical.

“However it’s good we would like this type of take a look at. We’re not at full power, however what’s full power for Canada? I feel what you’ve seen within the Gold Cup and that efficiency from that group of gamers, I’ve each confidence that this group can take any staff to that time of a end result.”

E-mail: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest