Yeah, let's just forget about adding those elite talents to the national program, instead go for guys who are okay with playing in the middle of nowhere, in front of nobody, with massive travel hurdles and third rate conditions. I'm sure we'll see a long list of guys who play professionally in Europe sign up for that plan. But hey, they like the cold. Nevermind the double digit ass kickings we'd get away from home with a side made up of afterthoughts.
It's a silly idea that would make Canadian soccer look like more of a joke than it already is.
Yes, there many challenges for Canadian soccer ahead that need to be overcome but if you look back at world cup history, see Bolivia and Ecuador for scheduling games in inhospitable locations to gain an advantage. It would be nothing new for the world cup and quite common.
I seem to remember an Italy-Russia game played in Moscow in late fall that could have easily been scheduled in a more southerly clime. Funny thing is the Italians still won the game on a snow covered pitch.
I don't think we have to get much past Edmonton to get a home game advantage though. I remember a very windy game in Edmonton where I could swear that Craig Forest pulled a ball out of the net that looked like a goal in a Canada - Panama game. The ball looked like it was heading for around the penalty dot and the wind was so strong it carried to the goal line.
Yes, there many challenges for Canadian soccer ahead that need to be overcome but if you look back at world cup history, see Bolivia and Ecuador for scheduling games in inhospitable locations to gain an advantage. It would be nothing new for the world cup and quite common.
I seem to remember an Italy-Russia game played in Moscow in late fall that could have easily been scheduled in a more southerly clime. Funny thing is the Italians still won the game on a snow covered pitch.
I don't think we have to get much past Edmonton to get a home game advantage though. I remember a very windy game in Edmonton where I could swear that Craig Forest pulled a ball out of the net that looked like a goal in a Canada - Panama game. The ball looked like it was heading for around the penalty dot and the wind was so strong it carried to the goal line.
As I recall, didnt Canada draw Brazil in Edmonton once? Granted it was a friendly, but I recall that Romario played.
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As I recall, didnt Canada draw Brazil in Edmonton once? Granted it was a friendly, but I recall that Romario played.
Yes it was the 1994 World Cup warm-up for Brazil.
Bitter sweat memories for me because in qualification for the 1994 World Cup Canada was 45 minutes away from qualifying, and they haven't been anywhere near as good since.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
in terms of who I think is the trickiest in each group
no one wants France from pot 2
I wouldn't want Belgium from pot 3
or Wales from 6
Toshack tried to destroy wales but they have two elite players in Ramsey and Bale and some good talent around them, could see them pushing for a playoff spot if they get in a favorable group
diane, wouldn't these qualifying groups start in fall 2012 and not this year?? Euro qualifying is wrapping up this fall and I don't they would have 2 qualifying campaings going on at once.
Norway in the Pot 1 surprises me. I would almost put all of Pot 2 ahead of the Norwegians. Norway has looked half decent in Euro qualifying, but they are far from qualified, and their recent past proves that they should not be a pot 1 team. Unless I'm missing something, this seems way out of whack to me.
diane, wouldn't these qualifying groups start in fall 2012 and not this year?? Euro qualifying is wrapping up this fall and I don't they would have 2 qualifying campaings going on at once.
Norway in the Pot 1 surprises me. I would almost put all of Pot 2 ahead of the Norwegians. Norway has looked half decent in Euro qualifying, but they are far from qualified, and their recent past proves that they should not be a pot 1 team. Unless I'm missing something, this seems way out of whack to me.
ya my bad, it's after the Euro's
they used to draw it later which is what confused me
I'm pretty new to trying to follow soccer, and I've never realized how extensive these qualification processes are for big international tournaments like this. Watching this draw on TV is really interesting.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Back2Back
The Oilers are very close on becoming a powerhouse team.
Using a climatic advantage is not new.
