Time to get down to business

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/11/2022 (1369 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So, that was fun, the whole getting-to-the-World Cup thing. Memorable, even.

Back when it started, Canada’s men’s national team was playing its home games in Florida and Illinois, the pandemic preventing travel most everywhere else. Remember how nervous we were against Suriname? Suriname! And then the unease of facing Haiti in a playoff.

Things change fast when a team is good—expectations, results, FIFA rankings. We were 73^rd in the world at the outset of qualification. We go to Qatar at 41^st, ahead of Ecuador, Turkey, Cameroon, Greece, Ghana and a whole bunch of others. We didn’t just qualify; we smashed the ceiling.

Those nerves before the Suriname game (Suriname!) became, mere months later, astonishment at Alphonso Davies’ highlight-reel goal that drove Panamanian commentators to conniption, pleasure at beating Honduras in dreaded San Pedro Sula, delight at putting one over the USA, surprise at taking a point from Azteca and ecstasy at taking all three from Iceteca.

It was a ride, a dream. But now it’s time to wake up.

On Wednesday in Qatar (1 p.m., all matches on TSN), Canada will play its most important match in more than three decades. They’ll be up against 2018 semi-finalists Belgium in Al Rayyan, where they’ll also take on 2018 finalists Croatia on Sunday, Nov. 27 (10 a.m.). On Thursday, Dec. 1, they’ll conclude their first World Cup group stage since 1986 against Morocco in Doha (9 a.m.).

If they spring a surprise or two, get star performances from their best players and breakout ones from almost everyone else, they might even get another game.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, tempting though it may be. Group F is mighty difficult, and a bad case of nerves (remember those?) for even five or 10 minutes will put them on the early flight home their opponents have booked for them.

Yes, getting to the World Cup was fun. Memorable, even. But now we have to play it. We have to get down to business.

Our Strengths

No mystery here. Canada have speed to burn down the flanks, and if there’s to be an upset of Belgium or Croatia the toppling will happen out wide. Davies typically works from the left-hand side, but a hamstring injury has him questionable for next week. On the right, Tajon Buchanan will run full-backs ragged and look to open channels for strikers Cyle Larin and Jonathan David.

Our Weaknesses

No mystery here, either. Injuries to Scott Kennedy and Doneil Henry have left manager John Herdman short of options in defence. Alistair Johnston is among the first names on the team-sheet, and it’s likely Steven Vitoria will play significant minutes as well. Derek Cornelius and Kamal Miller will vie for the back-line’s third slot, although Atiba Hutchinson could drop back from midfield.

Our Key Contributor

Steven Eustaquio is North America’s best midfielder and in September was recognized as the position’s top player in Portugal as well. The 25-year-old will pass the through-balls and lateral switches the likes of Davies, Buchanan, Larin and David will require for scoring goals.

Our Breakout Star

Ismael Kone was perhaps the lone positive takeaway from Canada’s pre-tournament draw with Bahrain. The 20-year-old CF Montreal midfielder opened the scoring with an exquisitely-taken goal and could well use the World Cup as a springboard to European football.

Our Question

Will Davies be fit and effective? It was less than two weeks ago that the Bayern Munich left-back pulled up with a hamstring strain at Hertha Berlin. He’ll be doubtful for the Belgium opener, and while Canada still did well in qualifying when he was injured last season they face a rather different scenario at the World Cup.

Our Surprise

Hutchinson, the Canada captain, has played only part of a single match all autumn. He’s been working hard to overcome a leg injury in time for the World Cup, and if he’s even 70 per cent fit he may well be entrusted with a role in defence.

Our Path

It’s a difficult one, but not impossible. Basically, Canada need at least a point from their games against Belgium and Croatia. Get it, and they’ll go into the Morocco match with a chance at the round of 16. Of course, they’ll still have to beat Morocco. For all the Atlas Lions’ talent, disorder in the coaching staff has left them rather directionless — something their opponents will no doubt find convenient.

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Should Canada get out of Group F, it’s likely they’ll take on one of Germany and Spain on Dec. 5 in Al Wakrah. After that…well, maybe we should leave it there for now. Because Brazil would await.

One step at a time. That’s probably best. We’re in the World Cup, after all. The World freakin’ Cup! It’s okay to enjoy just being there, right? Maybe?

Problem is, things change fast when a team is good.

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Twitter @JerradPeters