Things didn’t go as planned on Tuesday as John Herdman and Atiba Hutchinson arrived a good 40 minutes late for the scheduled press conference at the media center.
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You could also read the anger on the tense face of the Canadian coach, who wanted everything to be perfect on the eve of this confrontation against Belgium, the first match in 36 years at the World Cup for the maple leaf.
Herdman is renowned for ensuring very tight management of everything concerning his team; this delay clearly pissed him off. The Canadians were apparently stuck in Doha traffic. At least that’s the official explanation.
“The arrival was a bit complicated, but we make sure internally that it doesn’t happen again,” confirmed Herdman, gritting his teeth.
The coach quietly relaxed and ended up smiling again, especially when he talked about what this presence in Qatar meant to him.
“It’s a dream come true for me, the players and the country. We are playing in a World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
“We imagine people at home in front of their TV or full bars to encourage us. »
The native Englishman also admitted that he took a long time to see himself in this position.
“When I worked at Sunderland Academy, I never imagined I would ever be here. We pinch ourselves and it becomes more and more real with each passing hour. »
“A certain naivety”
Canadian players therefore have the impression of daydreaming. In theory, that should be worrying, but that’s not Herdman’s opinion.
At the same time, he praised the high quality of Belgium, which ranks second in the FIFA world rankings.
“You can be blinded by Belgium’s attack because there is a lot of quality. It’s a team that has grown over the last six or seven years.
« Ils [les Belges] will adapt faster than us, but we have a certain naivety which can work in our favor because everything is new and we are not afraid. »
It is also the trademark of this formation which crossed the qualification of the CONCACAF with a certain casualness in spite of an impeccable work ethic. This is the sign of a young and confident team.
Respect
The Belgian coach, Roberto Martinez, rightly noticed all the qualities of the Canadian formation and he spoke about it with enthusiasm.
“I have a lot of respect for what Canada did in finishing at the top of their group ahead of the United States and Mexico. It means that Canada has a very good team, it’s a very special generation.
“Looks like a very solid and dynamic team that knows its strengths and is very fast. »
The Spaniard drew a parallel with his side’s first match at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a 3-0 victory over Panama in a clash that was more complicated than the scoreline would indicate.
“It was a team that had never played in the World Cup, the Panamanian players played liberated, they were not afraid and for 50 minutes it was difficult to find the fault. »
Alphonso Davies y sera
There were concerns about the condition of Alphonso Davies, injured in a thigh, but everything suggests that he will be in his post today even if Herdman has beaten around the bush a bit.
“I believe that positivism always helps wounds heal faster.
“He was very clear, he wants to play. The staff helps him. He put the throttle all the way down and he got there.
“His enthusiasm can influence me, but you always have to follow medical advice because the player’s safety is more important.
“You have to ask yourself about the risks, but he says he’s ready, he’s flying on the pitch and we’re in a position where we can tell ourselves that we can put our best team on the pitch. The dark clouds are gone. »
Eustaquio and Borjan
This last little sentence at the same time suggests that midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, who had complained of stiffness in training, will be in post and that goalkeeper Milan Borjan, victim of stomach aches, will be between the posts.
A big test for all
This first game of Canada against Belgium will not be easy for the players with the maple leaf.
After all, this is a duel between the second in the world and the 41st nation in the FIFA rankings.
Either way, John Herdman wants his men to take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and gain experience for the next fixtures against Croatia and Morocco.
“I want the players to enjoy it, but the competition against Belgium will be a big test for everyone, including the staff. We don’t have much to lose, it’s just an opportunity for everyone. »
No complexes
It’s safe to say that Canada did a good job of preparing for this game having won a friendly against Japan last week.
The Canadians defeated the Japanese 2-1 in Dubai. Japan is ranked 24th in the world.
“No matter the game against Japan, we believe in what we can do because we have a good team and good players,” insisted captain Atiba Hutchinson.
“It was just another step in our preparation and we know we can play against the best teams in the world. »
He was 3 years old
Hutchinson may be 39 years old, but he was only 3 when Canada last competed at the World Cup, in Mexico in 1986.
It was therefore not there that he began to dream of playing on the biggest stage in the world.
It was only a few years later that he got the bug.
“I think I realized how big the Cup was in 1994. I was visiting a friend in Brazil and they [les Brésiliens] had won. This is what created a great interest in me. »
