Herdman before 2nd leg with Haiti: CanMNT ‘know they’re on the cusp of something important’
The following story by Benedict Rhodes, CANPL Contributor is courtesy of https://canpl.ca/article/herdman-before-2nd-leg-with-haiti-canmnt-know-theyre-on-the-cusp-of-something-important from June 15, 2021.
The Canadian men’s national team takes on Haiti on Tuesday night (9pm ET/6pm PT on OneSoccer) in what is one of the biggest matches the men’s national team has played in quite some time.
Needing at least a draw to qualify for the final round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying for the first time in over 20 years, head coach John Herdman has arguably his biggest test since taking over the men’s national team in 2018.
Canada has a 1-0 advantage after one leg, but speaking to the media on Monday night, Herdman was certain that the job is far from over.
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Mission for Tuesday is clear: ‘Take us into that Octagon’
Herdman said that the mood in camp is good — they got to recover on Sunday before getting back to it on Monday. He also added that the players set a mission for Tuesday’s game.
“It’s pretty clear what that is,” he joked. “Take us into that Octagon. These boys are excited, a little bit nervous as well, because they know they’re on the cusp of something important.
“I feel it in training that there’s a focus and an intensity.”
While Canada has the advantage after the first leg, Herdman is refusing to look at it that way. He’s approaching this as its own match, or as the second half of Saturday’s contest.
“We were at halftime against Haiti, 2-0 up,” he said of their 3-2 defeat to them at the 2019 Gold Cup. “We’re at halftime, 1-0 up now.”
For the rest of the story by by Benedict Rhodes, CANPL Contributor, please go to https://canpl.ca/article/herdman-before-2nd-leg-with-haiti-canmnt-know-theyre-on-the-cusp-of-something-important.