Sam Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Wow that was fast. Its hard to believe that it was eight months again I was sitting at my computer watching a stream of the World Cup Qualifying draw, and reacting to being drawn into the group of death. Dealt an early blow by CONCACAF. Since then of course we have easily got past St. Vincent and the Grenadines and into the semi-final round. Which considering our group is where our world cup dreams and ambitions will be decided. With the Jamaica game only five days away, I'm starting to get nervous. Anyways here are some of my thoughts going into the next round. I'm really disappointed I'm not going to be able to go to Toronto on Wednesday, but I'm looking forward to see the V's in full force in what will hopefully be a very pro-Canada environment. Hope all you guys going have a blast, and make some noise! The game I'm really looking forward to though is against Honduras at home. It will be my second trip to Saputo this year, and for what in my opinion is our most important game of the semi final round. This one is even more of a must win than Jamaica, because odds are Honduras will be much closer to us in the final group standings. I've seen the MNT play four times, and all my focus has always been on Canada. For the first time this match I'm excited to see a Honduran. Suazo is a quality player, and as much as I want to see Serioux knock him flat on his ass, it will be exciting to see Canada play a competitive match against a player of his caliber. This year the biggest change for me is that I think we have the capability of picking up points on the road. No real big results on the road under Mitchell, but I just think this team has the class and composure to deal with CONCACAF refs, and to put up with some of the crap they will have to take from opposing fans. I don't expect anything from Mexico, but I don't think 3 in Jamaica, and 1 in Honduras is unreasonable. My two biggest concerns is that we are going to waste our midfield and our back four. In the Gold Cup we had a lot of trouble getting the ball from the back four to the midfield quickly, and taking advantage of the pace of our midfield. That is why quality passing from our defensive midfielder and our back four will be key. I also think we need to make sure we don't waste the offensive talent of DeGuzman and Hutchinson. Another key part of not wasting our midfield means, using our midfield to create goals, not necessarily score them all. With Friend on form I hope this won't be a problem, but I see this team relying a little too much on the goal scoring talent of DeRo, and with good reason (As I said I've been to four MNT matches, DeRo has scored in all four), but if he gets injured of has an off game, I see our midfield starting to force more forward than it should. As for our back four, we look very week. Hastings, Serioux and McKenna are our only real options there (maybe Edgar if he starts playing first team football). Against quick attacking teams like Mexico these guys are going to be ripped apart. Anyways really excited for this week hope its a good next few months! Allez les Rouges! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Excited to see Suazo? Canada has faced MUCH better players than him (Robinho and his whole team basically) and I wouldn't care if he missed the match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Keegan Excited to see Suazo? Canada has faced MUCH better players than him (Robinho and his whole team basically) and I wouldn't care if he missed the match I said in a competitive match. I think a lot of people don't think much of him, because of a bad year with Inter this year. The last few seasons with Cagliari he was fantastic, he scored 25 and then 15 goals in a tight defensive league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Saw Suazo play in Edmonton. He is a very difficult player to contain. He has a combination of size and speed and he has midfielders that can get him the ball. He will have to be closely guarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Vancouver Fan Saw Suazo play in Edmonton. He is a very difficult player to contain. He has a combination of size and speed and he has midfielders that can get him the ball. He will have to be closely guarded. Im thinking drop De Guzman to the DM for this match. De Guzman has man marked players such as Ronaldinho and Xavi and been very succesful. Not to mention we have Imhof back there also. Let De Rosario take control of the offense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 quote:Originally posted by leafdolfan Wow that was fast. Its hard to believe that it was eight months again I was sitting at my computer watching a stream of the World Cup Qualifying draw, and reacting to being drawn into the group of death. Dealt an early blow by CONCACAF. Since then of course we have easily got past St. Vincent and the Grenadines and into the semi-final round. Which considering our group is where our world cup dreams and ambitions will be decided. With the Jamaica game only five days away, I'm starting to get nervous. Anyways here are some of my thoughts going into the next round. I'm really disappointed I'm not going to be able to go to Toronto on Wednesday, but I'm looking forward to see the V's in full force in what will hopefully be a very pro-Canada environment. Hope all you guys going have a blast, and make some noise! The game I'm really looking forward to though is against Honduras at home. It will be my second trip to Saputo this year, and for what in my opinion is our most important game of the semi final round. This one is even more of a must win than Jamaica, because odds are Honduras will be much closer to us in the final group standings. I've seen the MNT play four times, and all my focus has always been on Canada. For the first time this match I'm excited to see a Honduran. Suazo is a quality player, and as much as I want to see Serioux knock him flat on his ass, it will be exciting to see Canada play a competitive match against a player of his caliber. This year the biggest change for me is that I think we have the capability of picking up points on the road. No real big results on the road under Mitchell, but I just think this team has the class and composure to deal with CONCACAF refs, and to put up with some of the crap they will have to take from opposing fans. I don't expect anything from Mexico, but I don't think 3 in Jamaica, and 1 in Honduras is unreasonable. My two biggest concerns is that we are going to waste our midfield and our back four. In the Gold Cup we had a lot of trouble getting the ball from the back four to the midfield quickly, and taking advantage of the pace of our midfield. That is why quality passing from our defensive midfielder and our back four will be key. I also think we need to make sure we don't waste the offensive talent of DeGuzman and Hutchinson. Another key part of not wasting our midfield means, using our midfield to create goals, not necessarily score them all. With Friend on form I hope this won't be a problem, but I see this team relying a little too much on the goal scoring talent of DeRo, and with good reason (As I said I've been to four MNT matches, DeRo has scored in all four), but if he gets injured of has an off game, I see our midfield starting to force more forward than it should. As for our back four, we look very week. Hastings, Serioux and McKenna are our only real options there (maybe Edgar if he starts playing first team football). Against quick attacking teams like Mexico these guys are going to be ripped apart. Anyways really excited for this week hope its a good next few months! Allez les Rouges! you are not correct, to get the pass to next round , the 1 st game IS the most IMPORTANT, u need to go one by one, i do not think that stalteri and the rest will think that regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 the 1 st game is the most important, one game by one, i do not think that stalteri and the rest will think about honduras before jamaica.. to get out of this u need to go step by step, now jamaica is the MOST important game of all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Javier the 1 st game is the most important, one game by one, i do not think that stalteri and the rest will think about honduras before jamaica.. to get out of this u need to go step by step, now jamaica is the MOST important game of all I agree Javier. I think he just meant that is a key match. Currently Jamaica is #1 but when it comes to Honduras that will be even more significant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Keegan I agree Javier. I think he just meant that is a key match. Currently Jamaica is #1 but when it comes to Honduras that will be even more significant I meant it in a statistical way. At the end of qualifying if we make it I think that'll be the game we look back on and say that was way, or vice versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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