World Cup qualifying games being played in Edmonton: ‘Come be a part of history’
Global News
Herdman's visit to Edmonton to drum up interest in the November matches was timed to coincide with tickets going on sale Friday.
Canada coach John Herdman has asked Albertans to climb on board next month when the Canadian men play a pair of crucial World Cup qualifying games in Edmonton.
“That’s what we’re inviting this community to do, to come and be part of history, because these six points will make the biggest difference,” Herdman told a news conference Tuesday in the Alberta capital. “And the fans will get us over the line.”
The Canadian men, currently ranked 51st in the world, host No. 44 Costa Rica on Nov. 12 and No. 9 Mexico on Nov. 16, both at Commonwealth Stadium.
Mexico (4-0-2) tops the eight-team CONCACAF round-robin with 14 points, three ahead of the 13th-ranked U.S. (3-1-2). Canada (2-0-4) is third with 10 points and No. 68 Panama (2-2-2) fourth with eight points. Costa Rica (1-2-3) is fifth with six points.
Come March, the top three teams will book their ticket to Qatar 2022, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean. The fourth-place side will take part in an intercontinental playoff to see who joins them.
Herdman’s visit to Edmonton to drum up interest in the November matches was timed to coincide with tickets going on sale Friday.
While a loud and proud crowd will boost Canada, it’s also hoped that playing in chilly conditions on artificial turf will discombobulate the Costa Rican and Mexicans. Herdman remembers coaching the Canadian women in October games in Edmonton against South Korea (2013) and Japan (2014).
“Both times I could barely move my lips on the sidelines,” he said. “So I know it’s not easy.”