Guest Dave Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 A radical idea. Other nations have already chosen to play their "home" WCQ games in their opponent's nation, or in a neutral third nation. What if Canada were to apply to FIFA for permission to play our home games in Europe? There would be several advantages. A Canada WCQ would probably draw well in London, so good revenue for the CSA. Travel expenses for the CSA would be greatly reduced. The crowd would be pro-Canadian (unless we played Jamaica), probably more pro-Canadian than any crowd in Canada, since it would be too expensive for many Central Americans to fly to London. Our players would have minimal travel, and no jet lag. Guys like Radz would have no reason to fake an injury and not show up. Clubs would be more willing to release players. The time difference would really screw up our opponents, forcing them to play in the very early morning. (We could accentuate this by scheduling a noon start time, that would be around 5 AM for the Gautes). The extra travel expense would also hurt our opponents' finances, and perhaps force them to curtail their preparations. The obvious drawback would be: no home games in Canada. That would be tough to swallow, but if it meant qualifying for the WC, I would gladly accept it. Would FIFA accept such a proposal? Who knows, but we never know unless we try. Would the CSA have the guts to try something so radical? Not a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Why not? It's just as cheap for people in many parts of Canada to fly to London than it is to fly out west anyway. I say we play our home matches in The Den and give out cut rate tickets to Millwall supporters, just to make sure we have a pro-Canadian crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 We were discussing the exact same thing at the Lynx game last night and reached the same conclusion, including playing at The Den. I don't care where we play our matches right now, as long as we win. If it gives us the max. advantage, then go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 My innitial instinct was to reject this idea. Canadian soccer is as much a commercial venture as it is a competitive one. We aren't blessed with a country that embraces the game like many others do; the game does not sell itself. Hence, my first thought is that we need these games to boost the team's exposure. But really, in hindsight, the exposure a World Cup birth would bring to the game here would by far eclipse that which would be gained through a few domestic WCQ matches - matches that would probably end up being overshadowed by some World Cup of Hockey exhibition game anyways. So, with that said, what the hell... Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highburygooner Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 i think it's a fine idea simply for on the pitch reasons (no lag, easier release of players, etc.). other teams have certainly played neutral friendlies in london (australia, jamaica, nigeria - for exactly the same reasons) most recently at the valley and loftus road but, as i recall, there was an issue when the aussies tried to make london their "home". i can't remember if it was FIFA's problem, the FA's or maybe just that they couldn't get a club to agree to host their games....lord knows qpr could use a share of gate recepits - they might be up for it. i do, however, take issue with the idea that it would be any more of a pro canadian crowd...i think you'll find that despite there definitely being more canadians here than guatemalans (or indeed other central american countries), the enemy will still manage to get more vocal support out to any game being played...on top of that the rather large south american population in town might turn out against us. basically, the CSA would have to do a brilliant job of marketing to get very many people out to a game here. putting flyers up on the walls of the maple leaf (like they were handing out at last weekend's whitecaps game) wouldn't cut it. would YOU trust them?? all in all - if it would help our boys (which it would) make the WC, then it should be looked into! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachesl Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by highburygooner basically, the CSA would have to do a brilliant job of marketing to get very many people out to a game here. putting flyers up on the walls of the maple leaf (like they were handing out at last weekend's whitecaps game) wouldn't cut it. would YOU trust them?? Oh yeah...r e a l i t y...what a bummer, man[]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcl_19 Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Seems radical at first thought, but if fifa accepted the idea, i think it could be a great move....play in stadiums like the den, or at the rovers' stadium and we'd get a great turnout. a game at the den these days would prolly sell out given the popularity of Serioux and Simpson. Maybe a game at norwich with brennen in the starting line-up could help jump stant his club season wait a tick....how about a game here in Mons...The locals still remember Kusch (and some other canadian who previously played here, tho i can't think of the name) I like the idea....although now that im about to head back to canada (hopefully with the chance at catching a live mnt match) i dunno if maybe it's too late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Champ Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 I wanna say my peice before i read the others so this will be disjointed. I've said that about a thousand times!!!! I try to justify it by pointing out that Israel plays in Europe. FIFA keeps trying to be "non-political" so by thier own standards it is ridiculous for Israel to play in Europe. Let's join UEFA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante79 Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Dave A radical idea. Other nations have already chosen to play their "home" WCQ games in their opponent's nation, or in a neutral third nation. What if Canada were to apply to FIFA for permission to play our home games in Europe? There would be several advantages. A Canada WCQ would probably draw well in London, so good revenue for the CSA. Travel expenses for the CSA would be greatly reduced. The crowd would be pro-Canadian (unless we played Jamaica), probably more pro-Canadian than any crowd in Canada, since it would be too expensive for many Central Americans to fly to London. Our players would have minimal travel, and no jet lag. Guys like Radz would have no reason to fake an injury and not show up. Clubs would be more willing to release players. The time difference would really screw up our opponents, forcing them to play in the very early morning. (We could accentuate this by scheduling a noon start time, that would be around 5 AM for the Gautes). The extra travel expense would also hurt our opponents' finances, and perhaps force them to curtail their preparations. The obvious drawback would be: no home games in Canada. That would be tough to swallow, but if it meant qualifying for the WC, I would gladly accept it. Would FIFA accept such a proposal? Who knows, but we never know unless we try. Would the CSA have the guts to try something so radical? Not a chance. I dont agree this is a good idea! why should Canada play in Europe??? its crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Current Champ I wanna say my peice before i read the others so this will be disjointed. I've said that about a thousand times!!!! I try to justify it by pointing out that Israel plays in Europe. FIFA keeps trying to be "non-political" so by thier own standards it is ridiculous for Israel to play in Europe. Let's join UEFA. This is a great idea. Kazakstan recently joined UEFA, despite the fact that it is physically in Asia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Current Champ I wanna say my peice before i read the others so this will be disjointed. I've said that about a thousand times!!!! I try to justify it by pointing out that Israel plays in Europe. FIFA keeps trying to be "non-political" so by thier own standards it is ridiculous for Israel to play in Europe. Let's join UEFA. This is a great idea. Kazakstan recently joined UEFA, despite the fact that it is physically in Asia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante79 Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Why you all agree Canada should play in Europe???? its a crazy idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcl_19 Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 I dont think we should join uefa, i just think that playin even a coule wcq in europe could help our chances a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Thye agree because they are mostly easterners who can easily and relatively cheaply fly to Europe to watch these games. To hell with the people in western Canada is what they are saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highburygooner Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 i'm from vancouver and, as pointed out above, think it's a great idea to play WCQ games in europe (not join uefa as 1. they wouldn't let us and 2. we'd then have no chance of qualifying - just stage our games there). i don't think it's an east vs. west thing at all. it's a chance to optimise results...thinking about it though...i wonder if concacaf would allow us to stage competitive games in britain or the continentdo?? anyone know the rules on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Champ Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead Thye agree because they are mostly easterners who can easily and relatively cheaply fly to Europe to watch these games. To hell with the people in western Canada is what they are saying. Screw you hippie!!!! I'm from the west. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 What part of "mostly" don't you understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Fly Zoom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 I just wanted to add that I was being sarcastic about the whole joining UEFA thing. Also, I don't think we should be hosting games Europe, nor do I think FIFA would allow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natesta Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 I don't know about world cup qualifiers, but Canada should definately play more friendlies in England, using it as a neutral ground while plaing whoever. Australia is atually based in London and have played a few friendlies there, getting aropund the insane travel restrictions they are forced to deal with. Keep WCQ in Canada, prepare for it in England, and get more preperation! The lack of friendlies was just as responsible for our crap performance as any other reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Thisnis about having friendlies in Europe, not WCQ matches. This has been going on in the rest of the world and there would be nothing wrong with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Doyle this thread was about having WCQ's in Europe, not friendlies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Champ Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 I would never want a full CONCACAF game played in Europe. That would suck. But if we joined UEFA we could have home matches against Holland and England!!! (dreammy dreammy dream drink drink clic clic) C'mon Krammerhead, you know that you would endure the long transit ride for that!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccerbeast Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Dante79 Why you all agree Canada should play in Europe???? its a crazy idea! while we shouldn't be playing our wcq games in europe, playing some friendlies there prior to our next match is needed. Also the CSA need to stop using that dead stadium in Vanvouver/Burnaby, what an laughing stock to the football world, until new stadiums are built in Toronto/Vancouver. Stick with Edmonton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bxl Boy Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 I think it's a good idea Why not... But, you forgot a point Even if the Fifa agrees I think our opponent in the Concacaf never will accept such a deal and to flight to Europe to play Canada... Except if... In place of Turks and Kaikos, let's have Shetland Island as our newest canadian province Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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