CANADA, COVID & COHEN

Now look where we are

In Safe Hands JD’s Qatar Hattrick Ball

The origins of what the Men’s National Team is on the cusp of achieving in Vancouver Wednesday afternoon could be traced back to CONCACAF’S 2021/22 qualification cycle for Qatar 2022.

Or more to the point owing to Covid CONCACAF’S usual qualification cycle had to be revised.  In doing so the HEX, the World Cup Qualification Achilles Heel for the #CanMNT, was expanded to 8 nations and rebranded to the OCTAGONAL. Something more familiar with UFC than the World Cup. Only this was to be played out on football pitches across the continent. 

No Octagonal, no ICETECA. 

When under arctic like conditions at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, on November 16^th, 2021 in front of over 44,000 wonderful, and brave souls Canada took on and beat the might of CONCACAF; Mexico 2-1. 

Who else but Kyle Larin potted the opener. So late in the first half many of those brave supporting souls were off stretching limbs to warm up and off to visit the concourse. Larin struck again less than 10 minutes into the second frame. Which led to that now iconic image of Sam Adekugbe dive bombing into a sizeable snow back nearby to the pitch. Which was the prelude to his team mates joining in. 

With this result Canada all but confirmed qualification of a first World Cup in almost 4 decades back at Mexico1986. Which for good measure the #CanMNT achieved by topping the Octagan. No mean feat within itself.

Covid, eh. 

As they say out of all bad, good arises. Or as Canada’s greatest ever lyricist Leonard Cohen opines; Why is there a crack in everything? To allow the sunlight in.

A World Cup with already many historical feats accomplished - Matchday 3 represents something no one could have imagined when the players trudged off that pitch after the Morocco defeat at Qatar2022. From losing every match at that World Cup, as occurred in 1986, to the possibility of topping a World Cup group some 3 and ½ years later. 

Standing in their way is one of the Top 20 nations in World Football, and one that has often made a mockery in recent times and beyond to so called better nations in EURO Tournaments and in World Cups.   

This would be the 4^th straight World Cup that Switzerland have advanced into the knock-out rounds. A victory would be the first time since Germany2006 the Swiss would top their group.

They have an identical unbeaten record as Canada in their last 5 matches, with 2 wins and 3 draws. Unlike Swiss cheese there are few holes in their defence. Murat Yakin’s team recently have conceded at a rate of less than a goal a game. 

Led by the mercurial Granit Xhaka there are few holes in their midfield neither.  Xhaka has been reborn since exiting Arsenal a few years back. Collecting a Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen and taking his latest club Sunderland back into Europe after a 50 plus year absence this past season in what was their Premier League debut after promotion the season previously

Xhaka is one of world football’s character players. Proper intense, no prisoner type. Coming to prominence at the 2011 EURO Under 21 Championships, no one has played nor captained Switzerland more times than he. Xhaka finished a very decent 16^th in the recent Ballon d’Or voting.

The Swiss may possess the pedigree advantage, Canada though has the significant competitive advantage.  Returning to the scene of the Qatar crime from last Thursday, all that momentum and unbridled confidence boost. A crest of a wave like those world famous Tofino waves of Vancouver Island. 

Knowing full well a draw would be enough to top Group B. In doing so would most likely face the 3^rd place nation in Group G, in Vancouver the day after Canada Day and all those emotions which will light up the country July 1^st.  The Belgian Red Devils whose play has more resembled Red Robins currently occupy that slot.

Failure to win the group will be a huge motivator. Finishing runners up would mean travel down the left coast to Los Angeles and playing again only 4 days later. The opponent would be the Group A Runner Up, most likely a very dangerous South Korea.

Th question on every Canadian’s lips, which will only be answered an hour or so before kick off, is if Marsch will be minded to possibly roll the dice and start Alphonso Davies. 

Forgetting Fonzie’s immense football self for a moment, having all that pedigree and experience at the highest of levels in World Football in Canada’s-Believer-In-Chief’s Starting XI would be the perfect antidote to any jitters as was evident against Bosnia through a considerable part of the first half. 

Speaking to that momentum surfing the nation; how about Jonathan David’s magnificent gesture in donating the matchball from his unprecedented hat trick to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. Without doubt it is one of the most valuable items of memorabilia in Canada’s near 120-year soccer history. That is some gesture from the Juve player. Its value will only grow over time, as will David’s pedigree. 

There is no reason to think David will not push on. Another goal or two versus the Swiss will only cement JD as one of CONCACAF”s most elite players. Someone who I fully expect to display his real self next season in Italy.

Cheers

@NoelPButler / info@orangesathalftime.net