Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[GirlySports]

The next round doesn't start until June. There is one international date in Feb and Canada is traveling to Tunisia!

Two big upsets in CONCACAF. Antigua and Barbuda has knocked out Haiti and Guyana has knocked out Trinidad and Tobago.

[shermanator]

Canada is off to round 3, and that's really all that matters. But man, they did not look good in the last 2 games.

Let's hope the game on Tuesday sees some of the kids play and builds the team some confidence.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The next round doesn't start until June. There is one international date in Feb and Canada is traveling to Tunisia!

Two big upsets in CONCACAF. Antigua and Barbuda has knocked out Haiti and Guyana has knocked out Trinidad and Tobago.

Why is Guyana in CONCACAF? Guyana is in South America.

[GirlySports]

Just one of those things for competition. Like Israel in Europe or Australia in Asia.

[shermanator]

Canada's last game of round 2 qualification is tonight at BMO Field against St. Kitts and Nevis. Since they qualified for round 3 on Friday, the game is essentially a friendly. Should see some of the younger players get some time on the pitch.

And a few articles on tonight's game / Friday's debacle in St. Kitts

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/...kitts_preview/

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/...linaro_canada/

http://www.rednationonline.ca/Canada...reminimum.aspx

Go Reds!

[Jimmy Stang]

Should be a full day of sports for me. This game, then the Flames game, and before all of that this afternoon I'll be listening to England and watching either my Wop-in-laws' country, but maybe the Dutch if it proves to be more exciting.

[GirlySports]

The first 2010 finalist to be eliminated from 2014. North Korea.

They are out despite beating Japan 1-0 today. They lost twice to Uzbekistan which sealed their fate.

[shermanator]

3-0 at the end of the first half. Goals by Occean, de Rosario, and Simpson

[Trojan97]

For those who have followed the Canadian team closely, how have we looked so far? I know there have been a few draws where people have felt the team was quite uninspiring but is this the best team we've had in recent memory?

Do we have a reasonable chance finishing Top 2 in our pool in Round 3?

[GirlySports]

For me Canada looks as organized as ever but can't score any goals. Defense is good.
As for the next group I think it comes down to the two games against Panama.
Honduras is really good and Cuba is really bad. Canada lost a close 1-0 game to Panama in last summers Gold Cup in Tampa Bay.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

For those who have followed the Canadian team closely, how have we looked so far? I know there have been a few draws where people have felt the team was quite uninspiring but is this the best team we've had in recent memory?

Do we have a reasonable chance finishing Top 2 in our pool in Round 3?

I would say we have an outside chance of finishing in the Top 2, but it's not an unrealistic goal. If anything, the draw to determine the pools has worked in our favour immensely. If we were in group A or B, not a chance we would get through.

IMO, the team is playing far too conservative a style right now. It's not just in the World Cup Qualifiers, but I saw the same in the Gold Cup. The team is far too content to just pass the ball along the midfield and play a possession game. Whether this is Stephen Hart's style of game, or whether the team knows it's just not that good, is another question. One big factor is that the team was missing Atiba Hutchinson in the midfield, so I think when he returns to the lineup, we can stretch our opponent's defenses more.

The best analogy I can think of this team is comparing them to the Florida Panthers. Sure, the team made it to the finals a while back, but they have sucked for so long, and the chance of getting to the playoffs is slim. There will come a time when the team gets back to the finals, but fans really don't know when, and apathy has largely kicked in amongst their potential fanbase.

Maybe this will change with Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and FC Edmonton having recently started academies to develop players. TFC's Academy has already produced Ashtone Morgan (starting LB in yesterday's game), and Matt Stinson, who was called up to the team but could not play due to injury. Also, FC Edmonton played Canadian players in over 75% of the teams minutes last year, which is an opportunity rarely given by the 3 MLS clubs.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

For me Canada looks as organized as ever but can't score any goals. Defense is good.
As for the next group I think it comes down to the two games against Panama.
Honduras is really good and Cuba is really bad. Canada lost a close 1-0 game to Panama in last summers Gold Cup in Tampa Bay.

Actually, Canada drew Panama 1-1 at the Gold Cup when Panama scored in extra time to knock us out. I wouldn't say Cuba is bad, after all, they did get a bye to Round 3...

[Jimmy Stang]

I'm not overly convinced with Canada so far. The statistics for this preliminary round perhaps give the impression that they are better than they are because of a few lopsided wins. Sure, they won the group, but with all due respect to the opposition, these were not quality teams.

St. Kitts showed some fight, particularly at home, but I would still expect this Canadian squad to pick them apart.

[GirlySports]

oops I guess it was 1-1. My memory is getting worse and worse.

And I have no idea how Cuba is ranked that high, by beating up on island nations?
They were awful in the Gold Cup, lost every game by 4 or 5 goals if memory serves.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

oops I guess it was 1-1. My memory is getting worse and worse.

And I have no idea how Cuba is ranked that high, by beating up on island nations?
They were awful in the Gold Cup, lost every game by 4 or 5 goals if memory serves.

Perhaps their unparraleled Mojito makiing prowess has skewed the figures?

[d_phaneuf]

Sepp just said the best way to deal with racism is a handshake at the end of the game, and it's not a big deal

[shermanator]

Hart gave an interview with The Score after last night's game, and while he hasn't contacted him recently, he plans on working to convince him to play for Canada now that he has a few months off (or at least, that's what I gathered)

Here's the link: http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/...more-nov-16th/

[Locke]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Hart gave an interview with The Score after last night's game, and while he hasn't contacted him recently, he plans on working to convince him to play for Canada now that he has a few months off (or at least, that's what I gathered)

Here's the link: http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/...more-nov-16th/

Who?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Locke

Who?

Brett Hart, the best this is, the best there was, the best there ever will be

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Brett Hart, the best this is, the best there was, the best there ever will be

I dont understand this reference and I want you to know that.