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Posted by
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October 9, 2015 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Canadian Men's National Team will take on Honduras in
the 4th round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on Friday, November 13 at
BC Place in Vancouver. Canada will also face Group A competition from
Mexico and El Salvador. The top two teams in Group A, B, and C advance to
the dreaded hex next fall.
It's imperative that Canada gets off to a good start against Honduras. Any
type of early stumble could loom large as fixtures against a high-powered
Mexico side loom next spring. One particular player who could help Canada
get off to a great start is 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele.
The 23 year-old FC Dallas striker is looking forward to playing in
Vancouver, a city that hasn't watched the Canada men's team play since
July 2, 2005.
"It's going to be really exciting. I think it's going to give a chance for
the west coast fans to see the team which they don't get to do often.
Obviously we've always played in Toronto, so I think it's good for the fan
base and good for the team."
Canada's only appearance at a World Cup came in 1986 in Mexico. It's been
far too long since Canada played on the biggest football stage. Qualifying
for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be a daunting challenge for the red
and white. Among the four Group A teams, Canada is ranked last sitting at
104th in the latest FIFA rankings.
It's a challenging group for sure, but that doesn't bother Akindele.
"We just have to believe in ourselves, obviously it's a tough group, but
so are the other two groups. I don't think we have it any harder than
anybody else."
Canada has posted a 5-4-2 record in 2015 and seem to be making positive
strides under Coach Benito Floro. Small strides, but positive steps along
the way as players mesh and come together on the pitch. Canada played El
Salvador to a 0-0 draw in Gold Cup action this summer. Akindele played 90'
minutes in that match and believes Canada is making progress with a great
future going forward.
"I think there's a lot of good players right now, there's a lot of good
young players. Cyle Larin for example is going to be the (MLS) rookie of
the year. Russell Teibert out here, we just have so many good young
players and I think people are seeing that. We see a bright future with
the team."
That bright future includes Tesho Akindele. However, at this point last
year it was uncertain if he would represent Canada. Akindele was born in
Calgary, Alberta to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. At the age of
eight his family moved to Colorado. Akindele holds dual citizenship and
could have played for the U.S. In the end he decided to represent his
country of birth, but it was no easy decision.
"I just kind of went with my gut, I was walking back and forth and got
lots of advice from different people, but at the end of the day I went
with my gut."
In five matches for Canada the avid Colorado Avalanche hockey fan has
earned himself four starts. His first Canada national team goal came on
June 16, 2015 vs Dominca in a World Cup qualifier. Coach Floro has played
Akindele in the midfield and on the wing. That suits him just fine as long
as he gets to play.
"I want to help score goals if I can. Play up top, play out wide, wherever
they need me. I want to be a member of the team."
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is one of the most uncomfortable places an
opposing football player can play in. Akindele has talked to some of his FC
Dallas teammates about that experience and what to expect on Tuesday, March
29, 2016 when Canada plays in one of the most famous football stadiums.
"They told me about it and they said, it's crazy, like you can't even
imagine what it's like until you’re there. I'm looking forward to it. I
think it's going to be maybe a little nerve-racking at first, but once you
play the game it'll all be fun."
The fun will have to wait for now as Canada prepares to play Honduras next
month. Canada must throw everything they can at Honduras or those games
against Mexico in late March might not matter very much.
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