Canada looking to make history in Mexico

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Could history be just a short 24 hours away? Canada is looking for a Wednesday win on Mexican soil, something it has never done in 50 years of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Such a win would give Canada three more points, something the team desperately needs on its road to South Africa 2010.



It will be match day three this 10 September for Canada and Mexico in CONCACAF Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers. The match kicks off at 20.00 (21.00 ET / 18.00 ET) at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The match will be broadcast live in Canada on all four Sportsnet channels.



“We didn’t come here to sit back, we came here to put on pressure,” said Dwayne De Rosario. “We have to be smart defensively because they have great players going forward. They are very dangerous (offensively) and very solid defensively. We have to take advantage of every situation.”



Canada has faced Mexico 23 times, the most recent of which was eight years ago on 15 November 2000 in Toronto. Dating back to 30 June 1957, Canada’s record is three wins, six draws and 14 losses. Two wins have come in Canada while the third came in the United States at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Richard Hastings was the hero with the golden goal on 20 February 2000.



There are plenty of new faces on both sides, although Hastings is one of a few still part of the Canadian squad. As a unit, though, Mexico is still the number-one ranked country in the confederation,



“There is quality throughout the Mexican team,” said Canadian coach Dale Mitchell. “Mexican football has a lot of quality, a lot of depth. They have a good young generation of players.”



This Tuesday 9 September, Canada had its final training session in the morning before Wednesday’s big match. Canada trained for one hour on the main pitch at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna. Mexico trained later in the day.



Coach Mitchell expects Mexico to come out strong early in the game, so the first 15-20 minutes will be crucial. The stadium will be packed with Mexican supporters, although the stadium holds approximately one quarter of the fans that packed Estadio Azteca for the first two matches against Honduras and Jamaica.



“Mexico just goes for it, so you have to be able to deal with it,” said Mitchell.



After two games in this group, Mexico (2-0-0) is first with six points while Canada (0-1-1) is third with a single point. Honduras (1-0-1) is second with three points and Jamaica (0-1-1) is fourth with one point.