PREVIEW – The CanMNT starts the 2022 World Cup qualifying on the road in Honduras. Honduras may be last in Concacaf World Cup qualifying, but they historically had Canada’s number.
CanMNT Begins World Cup Qualifying Campaign on the Road
CanMNT
The CanMNT will play four of their final six Octagonal World Cup qualifying games on the road. All four games on the road this year will be in Central America. Unfortunately, for Canada, they will be without the services of FC Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies. This is because he has myocarditis, which is an inflammation in the heart muscle. As a result, he will not be in this World Cup qualifying window.
52’ A great cross by Stephen Eustáquio and a terrific goal for Cyle Larin! Larin now co-leads the #CanMNT’s all-time top scorer! #CANvMEX | 2-0 | #CWCQ2022pic.twitter.com/A2zlOP1ouM
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) November 17, 2021
Beşiktaş forward Cyle Larin has a chance to break the record for most goals scored by a CanMNT player in this World Cup qualifying window. This is what he said according to Steven Sandor of The Canadian Press after scoring two goals against Mexico:
“I’m happy to tie the record and hopefully beat it, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates,” said Larin. “The quality of the guys in front and the guys in the back end and we all played a part in it.”
Yes, they do not have Davies, but the CanMNT has other players in this window. The question is will they have players like Junior Hoilett and Stephen Eustáquio in the game. This question may not be answered until the day the game begins. It is unlikely though that Eustaquio will play against Honduras. This is because the isolation period after testing positive for COVID-19 is five days in Ontario.
Honduras
The Honduras team is not doing well right now. They sit last in the Concacaf Octagonal World Cup qualifying group with 15 goals given up. Honduran head coach Hernán Darío Gómez said this about their last game against Panama. This is according to ELE of El Colombiano:
“We lose because of our mistakes, not because of their virtues.”
30′: Honduras 1-0 Panama
59′: Honduras 2-0 Panama
77′: Honduras 2-1 Panama
80′: Honduras 2-2 Panama
85′: Honduras 2-3 PanamaWhat a game
pic.twitter.com/8ezIDZPbNJ
— CBS Sports Golazo
(@CBSSportsGolazo) November 13, 2021
Honduras was leading 2-0 but gave up three straight goals and lost at home 3-2 to Panama. This is a clear example that they have not shown a great ability to defend against any team right now. The loss against Panama was also one of two losses at home in World Cup qualifying. This makes it almost impossible for them to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
CanMNT Starts 2022 with a Game in Honduras – Game Overview
Canada sits at top of the table going into this week’s Concacaf World Cup qualifiers
How will the table look by the end of this round of qualifiers?
pic.twitter.com/lX4Kq84Nxs
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 24, 2022
Prediction: Honduras 0 – 2 CanMNT
This will not be an easy game as the CanMNT will get a taste of playing in Central America. Honduras also got a positive result on the road against Canada and historically had Canada’s number. However, based on past results, it will be hard for Honduras to not concede, especially against an offensive team like Canada. Maybe Honduras can score a goal against Canada, but they also have decent defenders with Canada like Steven Vitória and Alistair Johnston. The game will be televised nationally on Sportsnet and also shown on OneSoccer and Telus.
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer on January 24, 2022.
The post The CanMNT Starts 2022 with a World Cup Qualifying Game in Honduras appeared first on Last Word On Soccer.
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