Canada preparing for Belarus, building for future

Interim Head Coach Tony Fonseca is preparing Canada for another Men’s International Friendly on Monday – this time against Belarus – but the focus of the Canadian coach and his squad is squarely on the future.

“We have a new generation of players coming into the system. They are hungry, aggressive and technically well developed,” said Fonseca after Canada’s final training session of its camp in Doha, Qatar.

“Tomorrow’s friendly against Belarus will be a good challenge.”

Canada will take on Belarus at the Aspire Zone sports facility in Doha on Monday 25 March (18.00 local kick-off; 11.00 ET / 08.00 PT).

Fans will be able to follow live coverage on Twitter: @CanadaSoccerEN. Full pre and post-match video coverage, including extended match highlights, will be available on CanadaSoccerTV.

Canada will be looking to close out its training camp in Doha on a positive note after being narrowly defeated 2:1 by Japan in the first of two games in Qatar.

“This is a unique challenge as we have to recover and turn the players around quickly with two games in three days,” said Fonseca.

“Thankfully we have some fresh legs that we can bring into the team.”

The Canadians came away with a well-deserved 1:0 victory the last time the team faced Belarus – a Men’s International Friendly in Antalya, Turkey in March 2011.

Fonseca is expecting that Canada will face a physically powerful Belarus side – and one with proven European quality as well.

“It will be a great test for the players,” he said.

CANMNT: Preparing for Belarus, building for the future

But beyond simply looking to get a result against the Belarusians on Monday, the Canadian team is hard at work redefining its footballing ‘DNA’ as it re-orchestrates its line-up with a view to this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and beyond.

“We are changing our mentality, and changing the way that we play,” said Fonseca.

“I am very happy to see that some of the young players have come in in great shape, in great form and with a desire to play for the national team.

“This type of attitude from our players is crucial to our success moving forward.”

Match Highlights: Canada 1-2 Japan