Canada’s National Men’s Soccer Team may be on the verge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, but that doesn’t stop head coach John Herdman from wishing to see improvement.
On the eve of Thursday’s duel against Costa Rica, Herdman said he spoke to his group leaders about the importance of managing the moment well. And although his players are coming off six straight final qualifying games, including victories over the United States and Mexico, Herdman believes his side are not yet empty. “We’re going to enjoy the game together, but we’re not going to get carried away,” Herdman told reporters.
“So we came back with a bit of humility during training sessions this week, where we identified certain aspects during games in January that we weren’t satisfied with. Aspects where some of our stats had slipped below a bar that we considered acceptable for our team. So we’ve been working hard this week on the process, the process to improve. And we want that process to carry us through the game. »
Furthermore, while wanting to ensure that his players focus on becoming better — Herdman notably alluded to the management of the game as an aspect where there is possibly room for improvement — the head coach also clearly stated that this Canadian team has goals that go beyond simple qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Herdman said he showed the players a two-minute video during his first camp at the helm of the team in Murcia, Spain, in 2018. “It took them right back to that moment when, as a group, we said we were going to qualify […]and I think every man knows what he has in front of him,” he explained.
“They are sitting in the front seat. Their hands are on the steering wheel. They can do it. They may, in fact, achieve more than just qualify. And that’s the exciting part. And I think that’s the real source of motivation. »
Three specific missions
Canada (7-0-4, 25 points) proved to be the big surprise in Concacaf qualifying, as they top the standings ahead of Mexico and the United States (identical records of 6-2- 3, 21 points). Panama (5-4-2, 17 points) rank fourth and Costa Rica (4-3-4, 16 points) fifth.
The countries occupying the top three positions at the conclusion of this international window will represent Concacaf in Qatar. The fourth-place team will face off against a club from the Oceania region in an intercontinental playoff duel to determine who will join these three nations.
I think every man knows what’s in front of him
After his trip to Costa Rica (42and in the world) on Thursday, Canada (33and) will host Jamaica (62and) on Sunday at BMO Field in Toronto. He will end the qualifying round by traveling to Panama (63and) on March 30. “We have three missions, we have three different groups of players who know what to expect in this game, in the game in Toronto and in the game in Panama. Each of them is of great importance to this program,” said Herdman.
The Canadian players want to finish first in Concacaf qualifying, to show that they do belong. And a continued rise in the world rankings — Canada was ranked 94and in the world when Herdman took over in January 2018 — could help in the World Cup draw.
With a win on Thursday, Canada will automatically qualify for the World Cup. A draw will suffice if Panama fail to defeat Honduras or if Mexico wins or draws against the United States on Thursday.
Another scenario would see Canada qualify for the second time in its history at the World Cup – after that of 1986 in Mexico – if Panama draws or loses against Honduras and Mexico beats the United States.