Match Thread: World Cup Group F - Matchday 1 - Belgium v Canada - November 23, 2022 - 10pm local time / 2pm ET / 11am PT

[vancanman]

14 hours ago, TGAA_Star said:

Makes sense to wear white especially if Belgium wear their red jerseys and wearing our black jerseys against Croatia I actually would love that and they can wear their traditional white and red checkered jersey and for Morocco if we wear our red jerseys, Morocco can wear their alternate jersey. I really like it.

That way, we can chant, "An Italian restaurant...an Italian restaurant...Did you steal your kits from...an Italian restaurant" to the tune of:  

 

[TGAA_Star]

I think game ends 1-1 and it is all squares in Group F with all 4 teams

[vancanman]

11 hours ago, jonovision said:

^ I don't intend any disrespect at all to the relatively new poster above, but how is it that after all these years the nickname "The Pessimist" was unclaimed on a Canadian national team message board until June of 2022?

Because we're all realists.

[Ally McCoist]

 

[InglewoodJack]

FOTMob projects Liam Millar starting at CB. Herdman mind games!!!

[Miche]

YES! Draw in the other match is the perfect way to wake up! We can feel a lot less pressure today.

[shortofbrillant]

12 hours ago, jonovision said:

^ I don't intend any disrespect at all to the relatively new poster above, but how is it that after all these years the nickname "The Pessimist" was unclaimed on a Canadian national team message board until June of 2022?

A true pessimist wouldn't survive in these parts. A healthy dose of optimism is required 

[TGAA_Star]

5 minutes ago, shortofbrillant said:

A true pessimist wouldn't survive in these parts. A healthy dose of optimism is required 

Yeah but then again we have to be realistic too at times too but Canada 🇨🇦 do have a chance against Belgium 🇧🇪 but it is up to them to do the job but if you look at Belgium in their quality on paper they do have the better team in almost every way possible but it comes down to Canada playing together as a team. But also that Belgian defense is slower and older but can Canada take advantage of that with their youth and speed? 

[dyslexic nam]

3 hours ago, jhoops__ said:

Both Croatia and Morocco look good holy shit.

Anyone who thought we were going to breeze by either of these teams was delusional.   No such thing as an easy game.  Unless you drew Qatar.  

[Free kick]

Man.. lots of Canadians in Qatar.  You cant help but notice them all over the place.  The only Belgium fan I saw in two days, was one guy on the metro ( subway) who was with a woman  wearing a german jersey.  Its will be a home crowd.  i am certain.  

[Treppy2]

Front page of today's Ottawa Sun.

 

[canuckgbp]

 

[VinceA]

Wow we play a World Cup today.

[AvroArrow]

You have to think that getting at least two points in our first two games puts us in a good spot.  However, if Belgium's game against Croatia is meaningless for Belgium, then that could put us in a tough spot if we somehow need to leap frog or stay ahead of Croatia.

At the same time, we could easily go through the group stage with zero points.  But I'd still enjoy the ride. 

[jonovision]

4 minutes ago, AvroArrow said:

You have to think that getting at least two points in our first two games puts us in a good spot.  However, if Belgium's game against Croatia is meaningless for Belgium, then that could put us in a tough spot if we somehow need to leap frog or stay ahead of Croatia.

At the same time, we could easily go through the group stage with zero points.  But I'd still enjoy the ride. 

9 point window! Let's go!

[SpursFlu]

You know what's going to happen

I have no friggin clue

That's why there's so much anticipation 

Edited November 23, 2022 by SpursFlu

[frmr]

5 minutes ago, SpursFlu said:

You know what's going to happen

I have no friggin clue

That's why there's so much anticipation 

Your haiku has the wrong amount of syllables.

[trc2014]

Whatever happens over these three games, what a ride this has been.

[InglewoodJack]

16 minutes ago, AvroArrow said:

You have to think that getting at least two points in our first two games puts us in a good spot.  However, if Belgium's game against Croatia is meaningless for Belgium, then that could put us in a tough spot if we somehow need to leap frog or stay ahead of Croatia.

At the same time, we could easily go through the group stage with zero points.  But I'd still enjoy the ride. 

Instead of counting points and different scenarios in my head, all I’m looking for is a W against Morocco and an upset against one of the other two. If we can do that, I think we’re in.

[InglewoodJack]

25 minutes ago, canuckgbp said:

 

With all the fans we’ve sent Italy’s way over the last several decades, they owe us this one

[Joe MacCarthy]

Why Ancelotti is supporting Canada at World Cup
Apollo Heyes football-italia.net November 23, 2022

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti surprised many when he confirmed that he’ll be supporting Canada at the World Cup in Qatar.

Italy’s disastrous playoff defeat to North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year sealed the Azzurri’s fate and confirmed their absence from a second consecutive World Cup, forcing many in the Italian peninsula to look for another nation to support in Qatar.

One of the more popular choices has been Argentina due to the millions with Italian ancestry but others have been a little more creative.

When speaking to Rai Radio Uno back in April, Ancelotti confirmed which country he’d been supporting at the World Cup, explaining: “At the World Cup I will cheer for Canada, they have been absent for many years and it’s my second home. Then the president of the Canadian Federation is from Abruzzo, so everyone will cheer on Canada.”

He later suggested to Prime Video that he could even coach the Canadian national team one day.

“Yes, there could be a national team, but it’s too early now. Certainly not for this World Cup. The 2026 one, why not? It could happen. If it’s Canada, why not? I’d like that, of course. Canada has done very well.”

Ancelotti is married to Mariann Barrena McClay, a Canadian businesswoman, giving him another reason to support John Herdman’s squad.

Canada have a tall task ahead of them at the World Cup, being drawn into a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. An upset result over Belgium could be crucial in helping them progress to the knock-out stages.

[shortofbrillant]

16 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said:

Instead of counting points and different scenarios in my head, all I’m looking for is a W against Morocco and an upset against one of the other two. If we can do that, I think we’re in.

I'll take 3 competitive games. Everything else would be gravy. 

[ADP10]

WHY NOT US 🇯🇵🇸🇦

[Pottsy3]

14 minutes ago, Joe MacCarthy said:

When speaking to Rai Radio Uno back in April, Ancelotti confirmed which country he’d been supporting at the World Cup, explaining: “At the World Cup I will cheer for Canada, they have been absent for many years and it’s my second home. Then the president of the Canadian Federation is from Abruzzo, so everyone will cheer on Canada.”

He later suggested to Prime Video that he could even coach the Canadian national team one day.

“Yes, there could be a national team, but it’s too early now. Certainly not for this World Cup. The 2026 one, why not? It could happen. If it’s Canada, why not? I’d like that, of course. Canada has done very well.”

Ancelotti is married to Mariann Barrena McClay, a Canadian businesswoman, giving him another reason to support John Herdman’s squad.

Canada have a tall task ahead of them at the World Cup, being drawn into a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. An upset result over Belgium could be crucial in helping them progress to the knock-out stages.

Do we know who he's referring to when saying the President of the Canadian Federation is from Abruzzo. Surely it does not refer to Bontis? Is Montagliani from Abruzzo? It's not really a populous region of Italy, so interesting if so. My family is from there, and the only really notable Italian footballer from the region is Veratti. 

[Ally McCoist]

Guys, food for thought - when was the last time we had the following two at the same time: 1. Had everyone healthy and 2. Played on a world class field which suits our playstyle.