Canada head home from World Cup with lessons learned

01.12.2022 - 22:29 channelnewsasia.com

DOHA : Back at the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Canada came to Qatar with high expectations and a bit of swagger but stumbled out of the tournament on Thursday after a third straight loss and head home licking their wounds.Coach John Herdman praised his men for their fearlessness and attacking style but after Thursday's 2-1 defeat by Morocco the end result was the same as in Canada's only other World Cup appearance in 1986 - three losses.Canada arrived in Doha with a long to-do list and to prove they belong among the top soccer nations.Reaching the round of 16 was a bridge too far however and so was a first win - the highlight of their tournament being the country's first ever goal in a men's World Cup from Alphonso Davies in a 4-1 shellacking by Croatia.But it was in the hard lessons learned on and off the pitch that Canada can find some value as the country looks ahead to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico."I think there's been some big moments," said Herdman. "As a football country we can definitely be proud of the performances. "We always said the world level is the next level and I don't think we were far off tonight ...

from getting our first result."I think for all of us we need to take a deep breath and enjoy what we have experienced here and ask the hard questions because that is part of growth as we move through to 2026."This isn't Canada walking away with our heads down, we can keep our heads up."MASSIVE STEP UPAfter finishing top of CONCACAF qualifying ahead of regional powerhouses the United States and Mexico, Canada discovered there is a massive step up in class and quality at a World Cup.At times Canada, while playing with boundless energy, appeared overwhelmed on

Football cup John Herdman Qatar Croatia Usa Mexico Canada Doha Morocco county Davie

It was a "life-changing experience" that was 36 years in the making.

Bounou back as Morocco eye World Cup last 16

DOHA: Morocco coach Walid Regragui made two changes to his starting line-up as his team bid to clinch their place in the World Cup last 16 against already-eliminated Canada on Thursday. Regragui brings back goalkeeper Yassine Bounou following his absence from Sunday’s win over Belgium in Group F.

Canada set to meet Morocco in final match of men's World Cup

Canada is nearing kickoff of its final game at the men's World Cup.

Tunisia out of World Cup despite shock win over much-changed France

DOHA: French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia claimed a famous 1-0 win over holders France at the World Cup on Wednesday, but it was not enough for them to reach the last 16. France coach Didier Deschamps, whose team were already through to the knockouts, made nine changes but they were a shadow of their usual selves and Khazri punished them in the 58th minute at Education City Stadium. Tunisia then had to hold on for the victory as an Antoine Griezmann goal in stoppage time was disallowed following a VAR review.

Herdman says he plans to remain Canada coach through 2026

AL RAYYAN, Qatar : After leading Canada to their first World Cup appearance in 36 years, John Herdman said on Wednesday he wants to remain in charge of the team through to the 2026 finals when the country will co-host the tournament with the United States and Mexico.

Pulisic ‘day-to-day’ after Iran World Cup injury: US Soccer

DOHA: Christian Pulisic suffered a “pelvic contusion” during the USA’s World Cup victory over Iran but has vowed to be fit for his team’s last 16 clash with the Netherlands. A US Soccer spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday that the Chelsea forward, who was injured while scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Iran, was regarded as “day-to-day” fitness-wise. “USMNT forward Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day,” US Soccer said.