Canada begins training in Cyprus

Canada opened camp today in the Limassol District of Cyprus, the first of two training sessions in advance of its Men’s International Friendly match against Armenia on 29 February 2012. Head coach Stephen Hart had 14 of his 18 players in camp for the first session, with the remaining three players expected to arrive from their professional clubs in the evening of 27 February. Canada will train again on 28 February before kicking off with Armenia on Wednesday 29 February (19.00 local / 12.00 ET / 09.00 PT).

The Canada-Armenia match will be broadcast live back home in Canada on Sportsnet One. The broadcast will begin with a half-hour pre-match show at 11.30 ET / 08.30 PT.

Sixteen of Canada’s 18 players are currently attached to professional clubs in Europe, with one unattached (on trial in Europe) and one arrived from Canada’s Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. Ten of Canada’s 18 players were in uniform during the last FIFA window in November, while seven others took part in at least one project in the second half of 2011, including regular captain Kevin McKenna who missed two projects because of injuries.

“I am looking forward to playing with the lads again,” said veteran defender McKenna. “It has been awhile, at least for myself. I think all the boys are looking forward to the match.”

Seventeen-year old midfielder Samuel Piette is the lone debutant in camp with Canada.

“I knew I had a good U-20 camp, but I didn’t think it would go further than that so soon,” said Piette, who was spotted by Hart and the national staff who attended U-20 coach Nick Dasovic’s 1993-birthyear camp in December 2011.

Rob Friend (Eintracht Frankfurt), Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven), Simeon Jackson (Norwich City) and Pedro Pacheco (CD Santa Clara) will be the last three players who arrive into the Canadian camp in Cyprus. All three are expected to be in uniform before Tuesday’s training session in Parekklisia.

Canada’s 29 February international match falls on the first FIFA International Date of the 2012 calendar season. It will kick off a busy summer for Canada, which continues with a special centennial match against USA on 3 June and then six FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from 8 June to 16 October. Canada faces Cuba, Honduras and Panama in CONCACAF Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. It must finish either first or second in its group (after six matches) to advance to the CONCACAF Final Round in 2013.

Fans will be able to track the progress of the Canadian team in Cyprus via CanadaSoccer.com, as well as social media platforms on Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN, Facebook, Flickr and CanadaSoccerTV.

More than a place just for lounging in the sun, there’s lots of things happening in Cyprus all the year round. From cultural performance with big name stars, sports events to participate in or watch, to informative conferences where you can meet like minds. You’ll be surprised at what you can enjoy here. Visit the official website of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation for more details.