Quote:
Originally Posted by shermanator
Canada can learn a lot from Iceland. 20 years ago they invested heavily into indoor facilities and coaching education, and they are reaping the rewards now. Also, the Icelandic actually get behind their country, something which is not done here.
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You know, its interesting because you are clearly far more in tune with Canadian Soccer than I am, largely because I had bad experiences in dealings with CSA for years and after a while even a Circus gets old so I just abandoned it.
But you're absolutely right about Canada being able to learn from Iceland.
I find that Canada and Iceland are fundamentally opposite at the moment.
Iceland do not have a plethora of highly skilled game-breaking players, but when you take the squad that they do have they are greater than the sum of their parts.
I find Canada to be opposite, I dont feel that once our National Team gets together that they play better than their collection of players.
And thats coaching.
The Icelanders all buy in. They have that National Pride, but they buy into the game plan, the strategy, the coach and ultimately they have confidence and faith.
Down 1-0 against Argentina? Its easy to say: 'Yeah, we likely werent going to get anything out of this one, lets hang our heads and move along.'
But they didnt. They punched back and got a result. Thats mental fortitude. I love it. Every time you count Iceland out they punch you in the throat.
And I agree, the way Iceland got to where they are now is investment in facilities and Coaching, youth development and commitment to the National Team. They stole a lot of their blueprints from ze Germans but it works and we should be doing it too.
And in a lot of ways I think their small population is their strength rather than their weakness. It is logistically easier to manage a small group over a small area than a huge group spread out over a huge area.
Its much easier to centrally control their National Program.