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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
October 10, 2012 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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As players who play all of their truly meaningful matches at the International level in the CONCACAF region, the members of the Canadian Men’s National Team are used to fielding the usual questions about playing against teams in oppressively hot and humid environments.
In fact, when Canada last faced off against Cuba in Havana back in June, many pundits were quick to point out that the Canadian's most difficult opponent wasn’t the Cubans themselves, but the sweltering heat of an afternoon fixture in the Cuban capital.
That isn’t likely to be the case on Friday when Canada takes on the Cuba National Team at BMO Field in Toronto as the home side looks to continue what has mostly been an impressive run of form in the Third Round of World Cup qualifying. Due to the expected cool October temperatures down by Lake Ontario, the next match looks to be a rare occasion in which Canada will actually be enjoying an advantage due to the weather.
The Canadian team kicked off their preparations for the fixture against Cuba in Alliston, Ontario today and a number of the players were wearing toques, gloves and several layers of clothing.
Iain Hume
And given that these were players who were born and raised in Canadian cities such as Toronto, Edmonton and Bedford, Nova Scotia, it’s not a stretch to think that the opposition players who have lived their entire lives in warmth of the Caribbean could feel just a tad uncomfortable on Friday evening.
“It’s just perfect soccer weather. Any extra edge you can get is important and, if Cuba don’t fancy the weather on Friday night, that’s better for us,” said midfielder Terry Dunfield with glee following today’s training session.
Team captain Kevin McKenna agreed with Dunfield and was quick to state that Canada must capitalize on any advantage they might have in order to get back on a winning track after losing their previous World Cup qualifying match in Panama City.
“I hope that they aren’t going to enjoy it and that they will struggle with the weather a little bit. It’s something we have to take advantage of because it is a game that we have to win,” said McKenna.
Head Coach Stephen Hart was more cautious in his reply when asked about the possible benefits of the cold October weather and the role it could play in unsettling a Cuban side that he has previous highlighted as more dangerous than their recent record would indicate.
“It’s comfortable for the (Canadian) players, but really you have to go out and play and hopefully we’ll be okay,” said Hart.
Midfielder Marcel de Jong agreed with Dunfield and McKenna in stating that the Cubans likely won’t enjoy playing in a climate so different from what they are used to, but he also parroted his Head Coach in stating that he did not think the colder temperature would have that much of an effect on the match.
“I’m used to the cold now. It’s also pretty cold in Germany, so for me it is not a problem to play in the cold. I think it is better for us than the Cubans. But I don’t think it really matters that much. As soon as you are on the pitch, everybody forgets how hot or how cold it is and everybody starts doing their thing,” said De Jong.
Ultimately, with Friday’s match a must win for Canada, Canadian national team supporters are likely hoping that they will see both a Cuban team that struggles with the cold and a Canadian attack that will be heating up at just the right time.
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