Whereas World Cup qualifying has already taken the Canadian males to hostile floor in Haiti, Mexico and Jamaica in latest months, coach John Herdman expects his group will get an actual style of CONCACAF when it faces Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Thursday.
Herdman says the Canadians are “trying ahead to being examined by the group, by the Honduran group which can be actually combating for his or her World Cup survival — and simply every thing that comes at us.”
“We’ve spoken about these items quite a bit,” he added. “And we handled a few of this in Haiti, some actually fascinating issues that had been occurring behind the scenes that most likely the general public and media would by no means have been conscious of … However on the finish of the day, this group are clear. They’ve acquired a transparent goal. Irrespective of what will get thrown at us, I do know that they’re as dedicated to getting a end result as any group I’ve ever labored with.”
Thursday’s match on the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano is the primary of three in every week in the course of the FIFA worldwide window, with video games towards the U.S. and El Salvador to comply with.
Canada (4-0-4, 16 factors) and Honduras (0-5-3, three factors) are at reverse ends of the desk within the last spherical of CONCACAF qualifying.
The 2 groups tied 1-1 once they met in Toronto final September however the Fortieth-ranked Canadians have gone unbeaten since, gathering 15 factors, whereas No. 76 Honduras has added simply two.
Canada holds a 13-5 edge in scoring in its first eight video games whereas the Hondurans have been outscored 15-5.
Nonetheless Honduras historically has been a unique group at dwelling and the Hondurans have their backs towards the wall in qualifying.
“It’s going to be a hell of a struggle … It’s going to be a tricky night time,” mentioned Herdman.
And San Pedro Sula is a tricky place to go to.
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A decade in the past, Honduras’ second-largest metropolis held the doubtful honour of being designated the homicide capital of the world. Even right this moment the Canadian authorities recommends avoiding non-essential journey to components of San Pedro Sula “resulting from cases of violent crime, elevated gang exercise and violent demonstrations” whereas advising guests to Honduras to “train a excessive diploma of warning” resulting from crime.
The Canadians should not spending a lot time there, selecting to fly out and in.
Herdman performed his digital pre-game media availability Wednesday from Florida the place the group skilled forward of a day departure.
A matter-mark hangs over influential midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, who in response to Portuguese experiences has examined optimistic for COVID. Eustaquio has simply accomplished a mortgage transfer in Portugal from FC Pacos de Ferreira to Porto,
“We’re nonetheless ready for Stephen Eustaquio’s arrival — for medical causes. He’ll be day-to-day,” Herdman mentioned. “So we’re simply ready to see if he’s cleared to come back in. We’re hopeful. We may see him at any time.”
Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, who performs in England for Oldham Athletic, was already in Honduras ready for the group, he added.
The Canadians return dwelling to face the Eleventh-ranked People on Sunday at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Subject earlier than making the three,400-kilometre journey to San Salvador to face No. 70 El Salvador subsequent Wednesday.
Herdman calls its most likely the trickiest a part of Canada’s World Cup qualifying journey with a congested schedule, difficult journey, MLS gamers in pre-season and a half-dozen gamers on yellow playing cards. To not point out the “COVID time bomb,” leaving coaches questioning what the morning medical replace will deliver.
“However I hold saying this to the group — ‘That is what we’re constructed for,’” mentioned Herdman, citing earlier journey in the course of the pandemic.
Three video games in seven days will imply rotating a roster that's with out Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, who has been sidelined by myocarditis, an irritation of the center muscle, after testing optimistic for COVID.
Herdman mentioned Davies will probably be missed on and off the pitch “as a result of he brings such an infectious spirit to the group. You understand when Phonzie’s right here.”
Come March, the highest three groups will characterize North and Central America and the Caribbean at Qatar 2022 whereas the fourth-place aspect faces an Oceania nation in an intercontinental playoff to see who joins them.
Canada tops the qualifying standings, one level forward of the Eleventh-ranked People (4-1-3, 15 factors) and two forward of No. 14 Mexico and No. 63 Panama (each 4-2-2, 14 factors).
Canada has had little success on Honduran soil previously nonetheless, with a 1-7-3 profession file there. The Canadian males are 0-4-1 at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, the place their 2014 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign led to an 8-1 shellacking in October 2012 that prevented Canada from reaching the ultimate spherical of qualifying within the area.
The Canadian males had been ranked No. 61 on the time, 5 locations greater than Honduras.
They misplaced 2-1 of their final go to there, in September 2016 in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match. Canada was ranked No. 100 again then whereas Honduras was No. 84.
Canada’s lone win in Honduras was in August 1985 within the capital of Tegucigalpa with substitute George Pakos scoring the one objective of the sport.
Canada’s total file towards Honduras is 7-11-7.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 26, 2022