Massive challenge ahead for Canada heading into Azteca Stadium for World Cup qualifier

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Canada has never won in Mexico, and only have one goal to show for its last seven visits to the country

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Derek Van Diest Canada's forward Tajon Buchanan, right, challenges Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo during the Concacaf Gold Cup football match semifinal between Mexico and Canada at NRG stadium in Houston, Texas on July 29, 2021. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon /Getty Images

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Heading into the famed Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday, Canada head coach John Herdman is well aware of the massive challenge to begin the next phase of FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying.

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Canada has never won in Mexico, and only have one goal to show for its last seven visits to the country. The last time Canada played a World Cup qualifier in Azteca was in March 2016, losing 2-0, which proved to be a modest result considering the history between the teams. Canada has not beaten Mexico in a World Cup qualifier since a 1-0 victory in Vancouver in 1976.

This time, however, might be different as Canada is fielding its most talented team in history and did give Mexico a scare at the Gold Cup semifinal in Houston in July, losing 2-1 on a late goal, eight minutes into second-half stoppage time.

“For us, we come in here with everything to gain and nothing to lose, because at the end of the day, Canada is always meant to get beat in Mexico,” Herdman said. “The only team ahead of us (in standings) is Mexico and they’ve got all the expectation. I think this group of players are ready to push to re-write that narrative.”

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Canada is playing in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying for the first time in nearly a quarter century, and began the campaign with two draws and a win from its first three games. Canada also travel to face Jamaica on Sunday and host Panama on Wednesday at BMO Field in Toronto in this current international window.

Canada sit in a tie for second place with five points along with the United States and Panama after three games of qualifying.

The top three teams after a 14-game home-and-away schedule automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the fourth-place team moving on to an intercontinental two-game playoff against another region for an addition berth in the 32-team global showcase.

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Canada has qualified for the men’s World Cup only once, in Mexico in 1986, and are looking to get through to Qatar before co-hosting the event with the United States and Mexico in 2026.

“I think there are a number of layers to this,” Herdman said. “We have to embrace the occasion, mentally. Going into the Azteca against a formidable opponent, we have to get the mentality right. We have to see this as a genuine opportunity for our team and our country to step forward, but not to be naive.

“This is a very good Mexican team, so tactically we have to be excellent, but believe we can win this match and that belief has to come from the trust we can take from games against the U.S., that we’ve won, games against Costa Rica that we’ve won.”

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Canada came close to pulling off a victory against Mexico at the Gold Cup in a hostile environment at the NRG Stadium in Houston where the crowd of more than 43,000 fans were predominantly supporting Mexico.

Tajon Buchanan scored to tie the game 12 minutes into the second half, which then turned into a complete gong show as the game had to be stopped due to the behaviour of some fans and the nature of their homophobic chants.

Mexico had originally been banned from having fans at its first two World Cup qualifying games at home, which would have meant the game against Canada would have been played in an empty stadium. Yet, the FIFA agreed to reduce the punishment for only one game, which came against Jamaica in September, meaning fans will be allowed into Azteca on Thursday.

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Regardless, having faced Mexico in front of a hostile crowd this summer, Herdman believes his side is ready for what a crowd in Azteca has to offer.

“I think that group of men group through the Gold Cup, they got tighter, they bonded, but it was more than just the fight, it was more than just the grit, it was at times, brilliant football; really putting the Mexicans on the back foot for periods of the game,” Herdman said. “The big thing was seeing that little bit of fear in that Mexican team and that’s not something that I’ve ever seen before. And you sensed it there with some of their time-wasting tactics and I think we know we left a bit of a mark there, you don’t forget those things.

“They’re going to bring a bit of an intensity now, Canada are an unknown package to them. They’re expecting this is going to be a tough, tough match. They’ll raise their intensity and we’ve got to bring ours if we want to get this result.”

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Canada had its full roster of players available for the first three games of the final qualifying round, but this time, Herdman’s selections are being impacted by injury and the possibility of suspension. He also has two other games to think about in quick succession, where results could be even more important than against Mexico.

“There are a lot of teams in Concacaf that are going through the same things,” Herdman said. “Mexico look like they have a good squad, they managed to get through all the challenges they had in the first round.

“But it’s good we want this sort of test. We’re not at full strength, but what is full strength for Canada? I think what you’ve seen in the Gold Cup and that performance from that group of players, I have every confidence that this group can take any team to that point of a result.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest

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