Anybody seen this from FIFA.com? re: our WCQ sked

[SthMelbRed]

Group B

The match schedule in what many consider to be the toughest group appears to have been kind to favourites Mexico. If they win their second-round tie, Hugo Sanchez's side will enjoy home advantage in three of their opening four fixtures, with only one away trip - possibly to Jamaica - on matchday 2 to worry about.

The winner of Canada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will also have an auspicious start to the group, with home advantage guaranteed in their opening two games. In contrast, the group's other two probable participants, Honduras, away for their opening two games, and Jamaica, away for three of their first four, look to have drawn the shortest straws.

So, we'll be playing at home for our first two games. I'm not sure if I like this, as Canada has a very agreeable climate in the summer when group play starts and as such throws away much of our home advantage. It looks like it'll be Jamaica up first, then Honduras. In that case, I just hope we get a combination of Mexico already through and heavy snow for our last home game, hopefully in November.

[CanadasBest]

Based on the 2006 Qualifying and the international Match Calendar this would mean August 20th at home and September 6th at home, followed by September 10th away.

Even better would be September 6th and September 10th at home.

[Daniel]

I would have preferred to start on the road because, as we've seen in the past two cycles, slip up out of the gate at home and you're in far worse position than if you do the same away. It also means we'll be playing 3 of our last 4 games away. I don't like that one bit.

Could you post the link?

[SthMelbRed]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminarydraw/news/newsid=663257.html#concacaf+groups+take+shape

Based on the opposition, I think the SVG home match should be at Swangard, followed by Jamaica in Edmonton in August and Honduras in Toronto in September (assuming we beat SVG). If the CSA schedules Jamaica in Toronto, we'll know that they are even stupider than we currently consider them (if that's possible), and our hopes of going to South Africa are gone.

[Gordon]

If we do our usual, and fail to prepare, we will be out after the first two if this is true. We do better as we progress, so ideal would be Mexico away to start followed another away game. If we actually do the unthinkable and schedule a few games, play the first team in them and don't great around with selection for the Qualifying games, we'll be all right. But since that never happens...

[Elias]

CANADA

Game 1 (Aug. 20) - vs Jamaica

Game 2 (Sep. 6) - vs Honduras

Game 3 (Sep. 10) - at Mexico

Game 4 (Oct. 11) - at Honduras

Game 5 (Oct. 15) - vs Mexico

Game 6 (Nov. 19) - at Jamaica

Based on that article, I believe this is what it should look like.

It's frightingly similar to the 2006 qualifying, including games 2 at home and 4 away to Honduras.

Canada must win the first 2. Playing Mexico in one of the last games at home is also good as they hopefully will have qualified by then so might be a bit easier.

Hell, this is pathetic. Trying to figure out which 3rd world country from central America or the Caribbean you're playing and when and worrying about it.

[Lomonty]

Agreed man, If Canada comes out and takes 3 pts from Jamaica and Honduras, then they control their destiny. With the talent on this team and the way they're playing across the globe it's not out of the question. Mind you our coach could relegate Man U with explains my nailbiting 10 months away from the first game.

[SthMelbRed]

It's an absolute must that we have seven points on the board after our first four matches. Hopefully, by that point, Mexico has twelve*. That way they will be under-motivated by playing a meaningless(for them) match at what hopefully will be a cold night at BMO. Going into Jamaica qualified or knowing that a draw would be enough to qualify is the goal. We don't want to need a win to qualify**.

*unless, of course, we take points off them at Azteca.

**our situation in this respect might improve were Jamaica already eliminated.

[piltdownman]

The scary thing about Elias' potential schedule is the last day. If we play Jamaica the last game, even if they will have been eliminated, there is always pride on the line in the last game, especially at home. Meanwhile that means Honduras will have Mexico, who will have qualified by then and won't care. That's very dangerous for us.

[piltdownman]

quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRedIf the CSA schedules Jamaica in Toronto, we'll know that they are even stupider than we currently consider them (if that's possible), and our hopes of going to South Africa are gone.

I'd still say its more likely than not.

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRed

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminarydraw/news/newsid=663257.html#concacaf+groups+take+shape

Based on the opposition, I think the SVG home match should be at Swangard, followed by Jamaica in Edmonton in August and Honduras in Toronto in September (assuming we beat SVG). If the CSA schedules Jamaica in Toronto, we'll know that they are even stupider than we currently consider them (if that's possible), and our hopes of going to South Africa are gone.

Most of our players are coming from Europe which means the only game that should be considered for Western Canada is the Mexico one which follows an away game already in North America. One of the reasons we performed so poorly last time is that many of our players were coming from Europe to Vancouver and were tired and jetlagged while our opponents with more North American based teams had the shortest possible distance to travel. I would rather have a well rested team playing in front of a totally hostile crowd than a jetlagged one in front of a home crowd. The game is played on the field not in the stands. I would put the Jamaica game in Montreal as we played a friendly against them here and the crowd was very pro-Canada with only a small number of Jamaica supporters. I would put Honduras in Toronto and Mexico in either Toronto or Edmonton. The Mexican fans will show up whereever it is played. There may be fewer if we hold it in Edmonton but if we can get organized with the TFC fan groups I think we can get a stronger and louder Canadian supporters section in Toronto. From the last WCQ I really don't see any justification for holding a game in Vancouver at all. If we could get Queens to improve the pitch at Richardson, I would actually in favour of playing SVG in Kingston.

[footballfreak]

This is the only other possible schedule. It's the same as Elias's, with match days 5 and 6 switched. If the article is right, days 1-4 are set.

Aug 20 Mexico - Honduras

Canada - Jamaica

Sep 6 Jamaica - Mexico

Canada - Honduras

Sep 10 Mexico - Canada

Honduras - Jamaica

Oct 11 Mexico - Jamaica

Honduras - Canada

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Oct 15 Honduras - Mexico

Jamaica - Canada

Nov 19 Canada - Mexico

Jamaica - Honduras

This is potentially scarier than the alternative. But it would certainly make Mexico at home interesting.

Edit: It might also make travel between days 4 and 5 easier. Anyone know what type of conections there are between Jamaica and Honduras?

[Bertuzzi44]

Damn I wanted to play Mexico in the first game ...

[gkhs]

I swear, the tone of our posts on this would be the exact same no matter what the schedule was...'the sky isn't falling yet, but the signs don't look good'. Its actually pretty funny (sad).

I think this is the absolute ideal scenario. Start off hosting the teams on worst form...and (potentially) host Mexico, in a game that is meaningless to them, played it in November.

We all have a high level of anxiety about this, but this is quite good news.

(If we beat SVG)

[Cheeta]

As long as we have a national side made up almost entirely of players from the UEFA leagues August and September are a terrible time of year for us to go into qualifying. That being said, if Elias and footballfreak have the schedule right it's as good as a start for the tourny as we could have asked for. I would rather take my chances by getting a good start out of the gate than going to bottom of the table early. Good for moral, good for marketing, and given this is The Group of Death a good start by Canada could put the nervies on the other sides.

And how CONCACAF is that? Having the top two and the "also ran" teams in the group play each other on the final day. Should have seen that coming. Could be pretty dramatic to. Winner takes all. Get your tickets early.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by Cheeta

As long as we have a national side made up almost entirely of players from the UEFA leagues August and September are a terrible time of year for us to go into qualifying.

A damned if you do and a damned of you dont. Your right, the club in europe go into a preseason camps in August and they dont look kindly to players leaving on national duty during that time or moreso in September. Therefore that presents a distraction for the players. Especially if your status at a club is not etched in stone.

The flip side, Playing WCQ in the summer months (or off season) also means that the euro based players will not be peak physical condition. Whereas the most of the other Concacaf players are in midseason form.

[SthMelbRed]

As the qualifiers will all be played on FIFA-designated international dates, it won't be a problem between our players and their clubs. What will be a problem is that the players will likely play with their clubs on the Saturday before the first game. They will spend Sunday travelling back to Canada. That will leave Monday and Tuesday for training before a Wednesday match. Two days training together is never going to be enough preparation. It will be better for the second and third matches. For those games, they will play Saturday matches with their clubs, travel on Sunday, train together from Monday through Friday for a Saturday match in Canada, followed by a Wednesday match in Mexico. It is imperative that we make the most of the time the squad will spend together earlier in the summer. Gathering immediately at the conclusion of the European club season, they must have at least a week of training together followed by a friendly in preparation for the two-leg playoff with SVG. If the CSA really wants to give our boys the best bet, they could pay for them to stay at a resort in SVG for a week after the away leg, fly in their families, and have them do some light training and heavy relaxing together. That would be ideal. I won't hold my breath, though.

[Bxl Boy]

Don't forget, even if this is highly probable, that all of these 4 teams still have to qualify for this round...

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Bxl Boy

Don't forget, even if this is highly probable, that all of these 4 teams still have to qualify for this round...

Again, do we really need to say that everytime we want a speculate about our future group? I think we're old enough to know that, yes, we (and the other teams) have to qualify in order to be in that group. Thanks.

[Toronto MB]

Based on those prospective schedules, can we speculate a little in terms of venues for the "confirmed" home games?

(I'm going to be optimistic and act like the CSA has their heads on)

June

Canada vs SVG

Factors:

- SVG will be tough to market

- some players will be back in NA

- no real SVG supportes to worry about

- ideal venues IMHO:

1. Toronto ( BMO - should start the campaign in the National Stadium, also good to get this game at BMO as Jamiaca, Mexico, could be disastrous with lots of away support)

2. Vancouver (Swanguard)

3. Montreal (Saputo)

August 20th

Canada vs. Jamaica

Factors:

- players will be travelling from Europe, keep it off the west coast

- Montreal and Toronto have large Jamaican contingents

- ideal venues IMHO:

1. Kingston (Richardson Stadium - approx 9,000)

3. St. Johns (King George V - 10,000)

3. Winnipeg (Winnipeg Soccer Complex - 10,000 with temp. bleachers as per past instances)

September 6th

Canada vs Honduras

Factors:

- players travelling from Europe

- while there will be Honduran support in Toronto, nothing similar to Jamiaca or Mexico

- ideal venue IMHO:

1. Toronto (BMO)

October/November

Canada vs Mexico

Factors:

- players will either be travelling from Honduras or Europe

- large Mexican support in Toronto

- climate should be used to our advantage

1. Montreal (Saputo)

2. Edmonton (Commonwealth)

3. Winnipeg (Winnipeg Soccer Complex)

4. St. Johns (King George V)

[Bxl Boy]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

Again, do we really need to say that everytime we want a speculate about our future group? I think we're old enough to know that, yes, we (and the other teams) have to qualify in order to be in that group. Thanks.

Thank you mom ! [V]

Seriously, a schedule will be made with the 4 qualified teams, and we don't know them, that was the only thing I meant.

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Bxl Boy

Thank you mom ! [V]

Seriously, a schedule will be made with the 4 qualified teams, and we don't know them, that was the only thing I meant.

Euh, your the one acting like a mom.

My point is it just annoying that every thread speculating about future opponents needs this kind of reminder. We are all well aware of the danger SVG is for us but we don't need to say it in every threads.

What you said is true, but it's pretty much a "verité de La Palice".

[Winnipeg Fury]

The Winnipeg Soccer Complex is not an option. It is barely up for amateur games.

Why not have Edmonton as an option for Jamaica in August ? It has no sizable Jamaican population.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by Toronto MB

- Montreal and Toronto have large Jamaican contingents

Not really. Only Toronto does. Montreal does not. Can played jam there two years ago. Asides from maybe a dozen fans, the Jamaicans in the crowd were a non factor. Thats why Montreal would be the best venue for that match.

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by Toronto MB

Based on those prospective schedules, can we speculate a little in terms of venues for the "confirmed" home games?

(I'm going to be optimistic and act like the CSA has their heads on)

June

Canada vs SVG

Factors:

- SVG will be tough to market

- some players will be back in NA

- no real SVG supportes to worry about

- ideal venues IMHO:

1. Toronto ( BMO - should start the campaign in the National Stadium, also good to get this game at BMO as Jamiaca, Mexico, could be disastrous with lots of away support)

2. Vancouver (Swanguard)

3. Montreal (Saputo)

August 20th

Canada vs. Jamaica

Factors:

- players will be travelling from Europe, keep it off the west coast

- Montreal and Toronto have large Jamaican contingents

- ideal venues IMHO:

1. Kingston (Richardson Stadium - approx 9,000)

3. St. Johns (King George V - 10,000)

3. Winnipeg (Winnipeg Soccer Complex - 10,000 with temp. bleachers as per past instances)

September 6th

Canada vs Honduras

Factors:

- players travelling from Europe

- while there will be Honduran support in Toronto, nothing similar to Jamiaca or Mexico

- ideal venue IMHO:

1. Toronto (BMO)

October/November

Canada vs Mexico

Factors:

- players will either be travelling from Honduras or Europe

- large Mexican support in Toronto

- climate should be used to our advantage

1. Montreal (Saputo)

2. Edmonton (Commonwealth)

3. Winnipeg (Winnipeg Soccer Complex)

4. St. Johns (King George V)

Montreal does not have a significant Jamaican population but does have a significant Mexican population. In 1995 the whole province of Quebec had 7345 inhabitants of Jamaican origin and although the figures have risen somewhat in recent years they are still pretty low. Toronto alone has more than 150 000 citizens of Jamaican origin. In 2001 Jamaicans comprised 1.6 % of Ontario's population (most of which is in Toronto where they comprise 3.5% of the population) and .1% of Quebec's population. Most of the Carribeans in Montreal are from the French Carribean like Haiti. There were a few Jamaicans at the friendly in Montreal last year but not a very large number. Outside of this friendly I can't remember ever meeting a Jamaican in Montreal in the 3 years I lived here.

I couldn't find any statistics on Mexicans in Montreal but I run into Mexicans here all the time. At the U-20 World Cup game they played here they had a massive amount of support. Plus, many Mexicans fans are willing to travel for games (I think in much larger numbers than Jamaicans) from Toronto, Ottawa, Boston and New York. A Mexican WCQ game in either Montreal or Toronto would have a very large contingent of Mexican fans. If we are going to play Mexico in one of these cities, Toronto would be better because the fan groups are more organized in Toronto and we could at least provide a stronger contingent of Canadian fans to counter the massive Mexican support. I think a Mexico game in Toronto would be like a game between a home side with a very large contingent of away fans whereas in Montreal it would be like a home game for Mexico. If the Jamaica game were in Montreal the Montreal support would be almost exclusively pro-Canada while I am sure the amount of travelling Jamaicans would not significantly outnumber the amount of Canadian fans coming from Toronto, Ottawa and elsewhere.

In regards to Richardson stadium, I think Kingston won the best support award in our last WCQ. Yet without a massive overhaul to the stadium I don't think it is a proper place to play a WCQ qualifier in a round higher than the one against SVG. Even in this round I wouldn't play there unless the pitch is improved. With the exception of Mexico our team has technical skills equal or better to those of our opponents so if anything there is a disadvantage to playing on a poor pitch. Again I state the number 1 consideration is that the players do not have to travel any further than necessary not fan support. Climate though may be a good consideration in the games in September/October.