Canadians impressive in initial tune-up

For more information on this match, please visit the following fixture link.



Canada’s men’s national team showed it can play with the big boys. The Canucks fought back twice to even the score before falling 2:3 to the world’s number-two ranked Brazil.



The Canadian performance is a promise of good things to come. Brazil was Canada’s first test in preparation for this month’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™ against Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. The Canucks must win its two-match set in June to advance to Stage III (August to November). Canada plays on the road on 15 June (Kingstown) and at home on 20 June (Stade Saputo in Montréal – admission.com or 514.790.1245).



Canada’s men’s national team is now off to Florida where it will face Panama in an international friendly on Wednesday 4 June. Coach Dale Mitchell will then give his players a few days off before they regroup for final preparations against Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.



Coach Mitchell will also name his 18-player roster for the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines series after the Panama match.



Canada has an all-time record of two wins and two draws against Panama’s senior team, all in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™. Canada last faced Panama, though, in 2000. The 4 June match will be played at the Holiday Inn Sunrise.



Canada’s men’s national team is looking to get back to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 1986. From within CONCACAF, three or four teams (out of 35 total or 24 remaining) will represent the confederation at South Africa 2010. The Canadian men are currently ranked fourth in CONCACAF based on the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Canada also had a top-four finish at last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup by reaching the semi-final.