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When Canadian National Team keeper Milan Borjan was first approached to represent Canada at the International level, the talented young keeper did not know a whole lot about the Canadian Men’s National Team. As he has become integrated into the CMNT setup over the last several months, he has not only learned about the history of the team and developed relationships with the other players and the coaching staff, he has also heard the stories about other players who, like him, had multiple options at theInternational level - and who chose to represent countries other than Canada.
As Canadian fans have started to see how talented and accomplished the 23 year old keeper is, many have fretted that he could bolt the Canadian National Team in favour of Serbia. And, with that constant question being parried about, the commencement of the Gold Cup could not come any faster for Borjan, as it will allow Canada to officially cap-tie him and it will end, once and for all, any questions about any possible future changes of heart.
Borjan himself understands the fear of supporters who have been burned one too many times, but ultimately he considers being officially cap-tied to Canada a formality, as he already considers himself fully committed to the Canadian program.
“I'm actually really excited about (being officially tied to Canada) because I accepted to join Canada and I just want to stay here and play here for Canada. People from different places have been calling me and asking me, ‘Why Canada? - and I have always been saying that Canada helped me and my family and I want to give something back,” says Borjan.
The 6’5 keeper, like most of the players on Canada, is anxious to begin playing in a tournament with matches that matter and, from a playing perspective, he is pumped for his first CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
“I am very excited to make my debut in the Gold Cup. It's a good tournament and one of the biggest tournaments in the world, so it's going to be interesting. We'll see what happens and I hope we can go far,” says Borjan.
Canadian Men’s National Team Head Coach Stephen Hart has yet to make it know whether Borjan or veteran keeper Lars Hirschfeld will start the team’s opening match against the United States, but he has been very open in stating how happy is about the improved depth and competition that the arrival of the FK Rad keeper has brought to the Canadian team.
“I think his attitude is tremendous. He is learning every day and every time we see him he is adding something to his game. And what he has done is that he has given us an extra dimension in terms of depth and pushing competition at the goalkeeping position. We have four goalkeepers in mind and maybe even five in mind and it just gives us that sort of depth that we have lacked in the past,” says Hart.
Canada’s week long training camp, as well as the friendly against Ecuador, have given Canadian soccer fans and media a first hand opportunity to watch Borjan train and play, and it’s hard not to like what he brings to the table in terms of his physical talent and technical skills. His size makes him an imposing figure in net, he has excellent instincts and positioning and he consistently shows remarkable quickness, especially in how he gets down low for such a big man.
Ask Canadian National Team goalkeeper coach Paul Dolan for his impressions of Borjan and he is quick to state how much he likes the intangibles and temperament that the young keeper possesses.
“You are talking about his physical attributes and the first thing I look at from a goalkeeper perspective are mental attributes, and he has that even moreso. At 6'5 with that wingspan and a big imposing body, he has the physical tools. But mentally I love his attitude. He wants to play for Canada, he is wanting to learn and asking me questions all the time, he wants to improve and he wants to be here, which I think first and foremost is the most important thing,” says Dolan.
As for Borjan himself, he is working hard and enjoying his time with the Canadian team and sees good thing ahead for a Canadian squad that he believes is very talented, well coached and that possesses excellent team character.
“Everything is going well. The guys have accepted me and I'm pretty excited about this camp and the Gold Cup. I have learned a lot here from Paul (Dolan), Stephen (Hart) and Tony (Fonseca). I have learned a lot and we have all been talking a lot about the tournament and challenges ahead, so it has all been good,” says Borjan.
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