VANCOUVER, B.C. - There are few places in the football world that bring shivers down your spine like The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. 75,000 screaming fans are expected to fill the Azteca to watch Mexico vs Canada in a Group A CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying action tonight. El Tri defeated Canada 3-0 at BC Place on March 25 in front of a record Canadian crowd of 54,798.
The altitude, pitch, and fans provide a massive home stadium advantage for Mexico. Not many teams go into The Estadio Azteca and come away with a result. Going back to 1972, Canada has made six trips to the Azteca and come away with five losses and one draw, they were out scored 21-2. The numbers don't support Canada picking up a result this time or anytime soon.
When your opponent can put out a lineup featuring Andres Guardado, Chicharito, Tecatito, Hector Herrera, Marco Fabian and 20 year-old wonder kid Hirving Lozano you know it's going to be a long night at the Azteca. One key player that had a tremendous match and was fantastic getting forward to create offense, is left-back Miguel Layún. Canada had absolutely no answer for him.
Canada had more problems as well against Mexico at BC Place. Doneil Henry showed that he is not a right-back. Lozano caused fits for left-back Marcel de Jong and centre-back Adram Straith. Tosaint Ricketts patrolled the right-midfield which is baffling because he plays for Club Unattached. If not for goalkeeper Milan Borjan, it could have easily been 5-0, or 6-0 for Mexico. Make no mistake, goal differential is important for Canada and they can't afford to get routed in Mexico City.
The previously mentioned FC Porto full-back spoke to Red Nation Online about how content he was playing Canada at BC Place.
"It was a nice match for me. I was very comfortable, I was trying to do my things and I also try to work everyday to get matches like that today."
If you look at the current Group A table. Mexico sits at the top with 9 points, Canada is second with 4 points, El Salvador with 2 points and Honduras at the bottom with 1 point. El Tri will remain in first place no matter what happens vs Canada tonight. Coach Osorio can afford to rest some players in favour of youngsters of he could try out a new formation. This isn't a must get a result match for Mexico, but players like Miguel Layún won't be taking it easy and resting on their laurels vs Canada.
"Yeah, but we need to win. It's very important for us to win obviously on our pitch, in our stadium, with our people. I think it will be very important for us that match."
The impression from the media that cover Mexico and the fans who support El Tri is that Canada isn't very good. Sure the 87th ranked FIFA nation hasn't made a World Cup since 1986, but anything can happen in the beautiful game. New players additions over the last year have included Junior Hoilett, Steven Vitoria, and most recently Scott Arfield. The red and white are a much stronger, skilled and deeper team then in previous World Cup qualifying cycles. Making the hexagonal stage is a real possibility.
27 year-old Miguel Layún knows all to well that you can't take an opponent too lightly. The moment you turn your attention elsewhere a team can seize the momentum and turn the match around. While Mexico will most certainly be a heavy favourite at The Estadio Azteca vs Canada, Layún doesn't expect the match to be a walk in the park.
"No, we know that they had a lot of chances to win every match. They have very good players and a very good coach. It's very important to get focus on every single play on the pitch to win the match."
Coach Benito Floro will have his work cut out for him against Mexico. It will be important to note if he has learned from his tactical miscalculations from Good Friday. Canada simply can't run and gun with Mexico up and down the pitch. To get a result, Canada will have to bunker nd defend as a unit. The moment Mexico and the fans smell blood that could make for a long night at the Azteca.
Notes: Scott Arfield did not travel with Canada to Mexico City and will not play vs Mexico.
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