Oh? Canada? Yes Canada
Almost four decades after their only appearance at a men’s World Cup, Canada are back and become the first North American nation to secure passage to Qatar 2022.
John Herdman’s side, who first surprised their own country and then the Concacaf, qualified with an emphatic 4-0 win over Jamaica at a rough BMO Field in Toronto. The team wowed thousands to the stadium – and millions more across the country.
Circumstances were fitting as the weather gods of the Great White North scoffed at the notion of spring, sending freezing snow showers and savage winds off Lake Ontario on this historic Sunday. But style was also appropriate as Herdman, the Englishman who almost single-handedly transformed the country into a men’s football nation, saw his side conquer the climate and seal progress with 90 minutes of daring counterattacks.
Only four of a feast of odds were taken, but whatever. After such a long time in exile, only the return counted.
And now, suddenly, bright and bold in bright red, here is Canada. How? Because these last 12 months have just been unlike any that have gone before for Canadian football. First, the women’s team won gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. And meanwhile, the men were heading for their first World Cup since 1986.
Sunday marked Canada’s 24th game in exactly 12 months, a hardly unprecedented schedule that was to leave the soul. It could have taxed untried bodies and minds. Instead, it bound the team and forged a collective will that shone through starry (and snowy) night after night.
A journey that began behind closed doors with victories in the Cayman Islands has accumulated memories for a lifetime in a year. victory in Haiti as they reached the final qualifying round of Concacaf for the first time since 1998; Alphonso Davies’ solo miracle against Panama; defeat Mexico at the Iceteca; Milan Borjan roared as USA were beaten in Hamilton Now that Canadian heritage moment: Sealing a World Cup spot in squalls and sunshine.
In September, Herdman spoke to the Guardian about feeling like having “a freedom” to make history and how “fraternity” would get her there. The same word kept popping up. There’s no doubt that the schedule has helped Canada’s family thrive.
On the eve of that crucial appointment with Jamaica, midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said he would “invite everyone [the team] to my wedding. They are family.”
Cyle Larin could have claimed the man’s role after 13 minutes on Sunday when Herdman’s side countered purposefully and Eustaquio threaded a pass in the striker’s direction. He sent it past Andre Blake, and Canadian lungs emptied with delight.
Tajon Buchanan added the second a minute before the break, swept the ball home – and swept a nation off their feet. BMO Field’s West Stand swayed as the Canadians jumped for joy. After having so many opportunities to meet the team over the past year, fans are now ecstatic.
Of course, the hectic schedule was something to tame. Herdman did this in a spectacular way. Of the 23 games prior to Sunday, Canada had won 16, drawn four and lost just three by one goal each.
That Davies, the team’s top player, missed seven of the 14 qualifiers and spent Sunday shouting his support from Munich on social media shows you how Herdman got so much out of so many.
Canada 2021-22 is not Leicester City 2015-16. International and club games are now distant relatives and the latter’s Premier League title came as a far greater shock than Herdman’s team, which reached the World Cup. But some similarities are striking. A counter style that confuses vaunted opponents. An unheralded defense thought a weakness turned into a strength as veterans and new faces upped their game. A core, yes, but around her, a fluid cast that swayed into a “next man up” mantra.
Now they are all up, at a height not seen in more than a generation. It means a new era for football in Canada. And for concacaf? The tectonic plates have shifted in ways that are unlikely to be temporary. Canada will be hosting the 2026 World Cup and the team’s best players (Davies, David, Buchanan) are still young. Herdman also identified suitable recruits. Now he has the carrot of back-to-back world championships to dangle. North American football feels completely changed.
As if to remind everyone how far they had come, Herdman sent on captain Atiba Hutchison with half an hour left on Sunday. The 39-year-old midfielder, in his 20th season with the national team, was showered with affection from the stands as the sun came out again.
“You know what… you can play in a Champions League final, Canadians can play for Bayern Munich and now we’re going to World Cups,” Herdman said as he rubbed champagne from his eyes after getting drenched by Borjan. “Canada is a soccer nation. You better believe it and we will keep coming. We’re just getting started.
“It’s just faith, absolute faith. The people behind this team, the team behind the team. We’ve been through some tough times. It was’nt easy. But we did it. I’m just happy for these guys. When I first took over and said we were going to a World Cup, I don’t think they believed us. All these fans, they’ve waited, they’ve waited and stuck with us… and we’re leaving.”
The hard-working junior Hoilett added a third and Adrian Mariappa converted one into his own net in the final 10 minutes, but as the snow flurries returned and the Canadian bench poured onto the field after full-time, the result seemed almost irrelevant.
Where are Canada? You’re right here.