Belize perfect opponent

[Canadienfan]

I think the opportunity to play Belize (after SJ) at this time is exactly what the doctor ordered! What better way after playing some tough opponets who tested our defense and midfield to play a team that we should be able to score multiple goals against. It should get our boys (especally our strikers) feeling good about themselves. Anybody who has played on a team where losing or tying has been the order of the day knows that a couple of good wins in "meaningful" games can really point your team in the right direction and get things going. what do you fellows think?

Go Canada Go

[Cheeta]

Will agree about the general train of thought that says don't bite off more than you can chew.

I'm firmly of the opinion getting thrashed by a far superior opponent (mentaly and on the score sheet) dose absolutely no good. Not one ounce. You've got to push yourself of course, take on greater challenges. But getting handed your ass? Never seen it benefit anyone. Ever. The only lesson you get from that is nothing ventured, nothing lost. Dosen't make for very good football.

Of course the opposite applies. Just isn't the real world. And you'll never get anywhere like that. May as well stay on the practice pitch and run scrimmage drills over and over again. Until you execute with the Fear of God sweating your ass it's all just make believe. A fantasy worth sweet bugger all.

Putting a few over on Belize, as you write, may be a good tonic for an ailing confindence. Putting a few over on Belize in style has to be the goal. Just punching balls into the net won't do. Executing a plan and getting the reward, now that's different.

Thinking that extended summer camp and the San Jose friendly will do the lads more good that those two days in June. No disrespect intended to Belize.

Here's to seeing the face of a new side very soon.

[Free kick]

Playing friendlies against the likes of Germany, Scotland, Wales, Switzerland and Ireland is still relatively new for our MNT and aside from that brief period just before the WC in the US, we mostly concentrated on the likes of Guatemala, northern Ireland, and Macedonia( the occasional quality of a Chilian and ecuadoran side). Its safe to say that most of us welcomed these opportunities to play respected Euro sides thinking it could only benefit the players in terms of confidence and for exposure of the MNT within the canadian public. And, it is great to see our players out there against germany but the germans are not the kind of side that we are trying to measure ourslves against. My first impressions after watching the Canada versus Libya match was that the Libyans were too weak. But on the other hand, when I rewatch the tape of the game, it really looks like the guys were having fun out there. Playing with alot of confidence and never panicking with the ball. Plus we scored some really nice goals such as that beauty from Canizales.

But now I have to agree with the general concensus here. Granted any friendly is better than no matches, but I do feel that its time play the type of sides that will help the squad gain some confidence going into WCQ. And, to play at home for change. There will be period of eight weeks between that Belize match and the next round. This would be a great opportunity for the CSA to set up two preparatory frindlies at home against someone like T&T, El Salvador, Cuba, haiti or Jamaica. These are concacaf sides that are not going to be in our group in the semi final round so there is no worry that we will show our hand to them like we did for T&T last time. These sides are not minnows but at the same time will reveal much more for Yallop the strenghts and weaknesses going into WCQ as well as the changes, if any, that need to be made.

Its too bad that that Canada Cup tourny was never brought back. It was some much needed game action and an oportunity for the players to play on home soil. In the end, that kind of event was probably a better measuring stick than facing the likes of Germany given the type of opponents we faced. Still though, as a fan, I can't really complain with getting a chance to watch games versus Germany, Scotland, Ireland and other good Euro sides.