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CanMNT vs. Australia: Can Floro save Canadian soccer?

  • Frank Doyle's Author profile. Frank Doyle

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The future looks at least a little brighter for Canadian soccer with Benito Floro at the helm, but he’s not out to completely overhaul the program overnight. There is serious work to be done and that much could be evident Tuesday when Canada’s international squad faces off with Australia, a side that already has its ticket booked for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Given Floro’s experience managing clubs like Real Madrid in Spain, you’d have to forgive him if he wondered what he got himself into with the No. 106 squad in FIFA’s rankings. To Floro’s credit, he knows the team needs to be built from the ground up. He has taken the Canadian team back to the classroom with video sessions and tactical analysis, but knows this is going to be a long process.

“The experience that we’re going through with Benito is kind of a culture shock right now,” Canadian midfielder Julian De Guzman told reporters. “It’s a new kind of mentality and culture to comprehend.”

This is a positive step for Canada, because the way the international team prepared before wasn’t working. Canada is 0-8-3 since its last win over Cuba back on 2012 and has been outscored 21-2 during the slump.

Tuesday might be another tough day for the Canadians, who are set as +412 underdogs as they head into a 3 p.m. game against Australia in London. The Aussies will be determined to get back on track following consecutive 6-0 losses to Brazil and France, which lead to the firing of Holger Osieck. So, the message has clearly been sent.

Assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar will take over on the bench for the Socceroos on an interim basis and he knows he has his work cut out for him as well.

“For us, it’s a matter of trying to get a fit team out on the park and trying to perform as best we can,” Vidmar told reporters. “Whether that’s an experienced team or a younger team, I’m not sure at this stage.”

Either way, the Aussies shouldn’t have much trouble with the Canadians Tuesday. This game is about progress for Canadian soccer, not the full-time result.