World Cup Qualifying: Canada Ready for Cuba

Where Canada Stands

Canada’s quest to reach the final round of World Cup qualifying for the first time since 1998 is about to get serious. The Canadians, tied with Honduras in second place in the group behind Panama, host Cuba Friday at BMO Field. The Canadians need points and goals as the Hondurans have a plus-2 goal differential to 0 for Canada. Just the top two teams advance from this group of four to the final qualifying round, where they will join four other teams in search of three automatic bids for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Sports Interaction has Canada set as a -714 favourite.

The Missing Link

The Canadians will need to band together following the loss of Dwayne De Rosario. Canada’s all-time leading scorer sprained his MCL in the first half of Canada’s 2-0 loss to Panama on Sept. 11. He isn’t expected to be fit for Canada’s final group match in Honduras either.  “Everyone’s got to step up now,” veteran midfielder Julian de Guzman told reporters. “We’re missing an impact player. He brings a lot to the squad, just his presence alone. It’s a huge setback for the side.”

Veteran Iain Hume will take De Rosario’s spot in the roster. This is Hume’s third bid at a World Cup qualifying. Along with Hume, Canada will look for some sort of offence from strikers Olivier Occean, Simeon Jackson, Tosaint Ricketts. So far Canada has just two goals in four games.

Balancing Offence and Defence

As much as the Canadians want to push forward in hopes of securing an early lead, the back line has been the club’s strength. If they drive ahead too much early, they could end up vulnerable to Cuba’s counterattack. The Canadians also have to stay disciplined with Ante Jazic, Kevin McKenna, Occean and Jackson all heading into this match with yellow cards. Losing any of them for Canada’s following game against Honduras would be a major blow.

Scouting Cuba

Cuba may be winless in group play, but Canada shouldn’t overlook this side. The Cuban club is known as a strong road team and probably should have come away with at least a couple of points from their last two games as visitors. Canada earned a 1-0 victory over Cuba to open this group’s action back in June.

Prediction

A draw just isn’t enough for Canada here. The Canadian side is expecting between 15,000-16,000 supporters at BMO Field and an early goal would go a long way to take some of the pressure off. Of course, it is that goal that everyone is anxiously awaiting. With their backs against the wall, expect Stephen Hart’s boys to bag one in the first half. Final score: Canada 1, Cuba 0.

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