Canada faces South Africa in Los Angeles
Canada is set to face South Africa in the World Cup round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday. This follows Canada‘s 2-1 loss to Switzerland at BC Place Vancouver, a result that meant Canada did not secure home-field advantage for the knockout stage. The Canadian squad, ranked 30th by FIFA, will now play South Africa, ranked 60th, after South Africa unexpectedly defeated South Korea.
The match against Switzerland saw Canada fall short of the draw that would have kept them in Vancouver for the round of 32. Head coach Jesse Marsch expressed disappointment over the team’s performance, particularly a lack of sprinting and a flat second-half display that led to them going down 2-0. This loss moved Canada to second place in Group B, setting up the encounter with South Africa, the runners-up of Group A.
Defender Alistair Johnston urged Canadian fans to move past the recent loss and support the team for Sunday’s match. He described South Africa as an athletic team with strong defensive capabilities, anticipating an open, end-to-end game. Johnston believes this style of play, which he called a “track meet,” would suit Canada, whose players are often characterized as sprinters under Marsch‘s coaching philosophy.
Team dynamics and player availability
The potential availability of star player Alphonso Davies remains a topic of discussion. Davies has been recovering from a hamstring injury, his third this year. While Marsch had indicated before the Switzerland game that Davies might play, he ultimately did not, with Marsch later stating that Davies was not ready. Marsch defended his earlier comments, explaining that creating uncertainty for the opponent is a tactic in a competitive environment like the World Cup.
Marsch still anticipates Davies could play against South Africa. Johnston also noted that Davies‘s participation is still uncertain. Beyond Davies, the Canadian squad has faced other player absences, including defender Moïse Bombito, who played only a portion of the match against Qatar, and midfielder Ismaël Koné, whose absence was felt against Switzerland in moving the ball forward. Midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who played in the Bosnia and Qatar games, did not start against Switzerland but came on in the 58th minute.
Marsch acknowledged that the team is not at full strength but is moving closer to it. He emphasized the need for Canada to be disciplined and brave in their approach against South Africa, aiming to limit their athletic opponents’ opportunities in open spaces. Johnston echoed the sentiment that when Canada plays at its best, it can compete with any team, but also acknowledged the risk of losing if they are not fully engaged.
Looking ahead to the knockout stage
South Africa secured its first-ever spot in a World Cup knockout game by defeating South Korea 1-0. Marsch was impressed by South Africa‘s physical play and athleticism in open spaces during that match, noting their belief in their current strategy. He recognized that South Africa earned their victory and will present a significant challenge for Canada.
The shift from playing in Vancouver to Los Angeles for the round of 32 means Canada will not have the home-field advantage that was anticipated if they had won their group. Marsch commented that while the team enjoyed the support of Canadian fans, the change in venue might offer a calmer environment, allowing the team to focus entirely on the match. Johnston highlighted the team’s long-standing goal to grow the game in Canada, stating that winning matches in major tournaments is the most effective way to achieve this.
The winner of the Canada versus South Africa match will advance to the round of 16, with a potential fixture in Houston on July 4 against a top team, possibly Netherlands or Morocco. Canada‘s journey in this 48-team World Cup marks their first appearance in the knockout round, mirroring South Africa‘s achievement. Both teams have a record of one win, one loss, and one draw in the group stage, with Canada defeating Qatar 6-0, drawing 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and losing 2-1 to Switzerland.
South Africa‘s group stage results include a 1-0 win against South Korea, a 2-0 loss to Mexico, and a 1-1 draw versus Czechia. The upcoming match in Los Angeles represents a chance for Canada to move past the disappointment of the Switzerland game and continue their historic run in the tournament.
Johnston, a 27-year-old right back, emphasized that the team believes they can cause trouble for South Africa if they perform at their best. The focus for Canada is now on the 90 or 120 minutes of play that will determine their progression in the tournament.
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Source: theglobeandmail.com
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
