Is Stephen Hart turning the corner of the Canadian Men’s national team, or we just optimistic because we’re starting to forget 2008 World Cup qualifying?
Time heals all wounds and since the hopelessness of Canada’s 2008 qualifying exit things are certainly looking up for the Canadian men’s national team. When Stephen Hart was appointed as the full time coach he demanded friendlies on all FIFA dates and although the CSA hasn’t completely granted his wish they’ve given him a solid starting block.
With matches down in South America this May against Argentina and Venezuela, two home matches (one against CONCACAF rivals Honduras) and a match in the Ukraine late in the year. Combined with the Jamaica friendly earlier in the year that gives the Canadian Men’s national team a total of six friendlies in 2010, not too shabby.
We’ve always known that preparation is important, especially for the Canadian national team who play very few competitive games, but recent studies show an even greater correlation between playing matches and qualifying for the World Cup. A study in the book Soccernomics says that for World Cup success an overall winning percentage is not as important as the number of matches played. So no matter who the opponent, getting more friendlies can only be good for Canada.
It would be interesting to know how much input Hart had in these friendlies and the opponents, because he undoubtedly is a big reason why they are being played. As a Canadian supporter you have to be excited about the prospect of playing a team like Argentina right before the World Cup, but on the other hand a match against a Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico or Guatemala may have provided better experience for a Canadian team that has a poor record against CONCACAF teams.
This is the reason I’m a huge fan of the Honduras friendly. The fact it is in Montreal at Saputo Stadium the place where Canadian dreams were crushed in 2008 will add a spice of revenge to the friendly but from a purely strategical standpoint playing the best CONCACAF has to offer is exactly what Canada needs. Honduras are a World Cup team and are the quality of team that Canada will need to compete against if they want to qualify for the World Cup.
Of course as a Canadian supporter who was at the Honduras game in 2008 I will be there this year with revenge on my mind more than the CONCACAF experience the squad will be getting. Sure the stakes aren’t anything like they were in 2008, but it would be nice to get a chance to beat Honduras at Montreal on the pitch this year, and in the stands where the Hondurans out numbered the Canadians in 2008.
World Cup qualifying is still two years away, and Hart has yet to really achieve anything with this team, but I’m optimistic. I like the friendlies that Canada has lined up this year and unlike 2008 I don’t think poor preparation while be an excuse this time around.
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