Canada hopes to avoid slow start in World Cup knockout match against South Africa

Forward Tani Oluwaseyi knows Canada can't afford another slow start when it faces South Africa on Sunday in a FIFA World Cup knockout match in Los Angeles.

In its opening World Cup game against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, Canada gave up a goal in the 21st minute and needed Cyle Larin to score in the 79th minute to earn a draw.

Canada controlled the entire match in a 6-0 win over Qatar for the country's first-ever World Cup victory. But then in front of a roaring hometown crowd in Vancouver, with a chance to finish first in Group B and host an elimination game at B.C. Place, Canada struggled to find its pace against Switzerland.

Defensive breakdowns early in the second half allowed the Swiss to score twice in an 11-minute span and go on to a 2-1 victory. Promise David scored Canada's goal in the 76th minute. A late Canadian rally fell short.

"I think it's just being wary of how sometimes we can start a game, trying to be more like we were against Qatar and less like we were against Switzerland," the 26-year-old Oluwaseyi said Friday before Canada practised in a pouring rain.

Forward Tajon Buchanan said getting off on the right foot is a "a mindset thing."

"It's about putting all that in the past aside," said the 27-year-old from Brampton, Ont., who is Oluwaseyi's teammate with the Spanish club Villarreal. "Now it's about going out there competing and having a strong start and playing a strong game for 90-plus minutes."

Head coach Jesse Marsch was asked about Canada sometimes being passive during matches.

"How to explain passivity," Marsch said after Wednesday's loss to Switzerland. "I don't know because everything we work on and work through is about really being aggressive and using our athleticism and our team speed.