Great Derby and Canada’s Preliminary Qualifying Opportunity

Mexico hosts the United States in what could be an important game

Canada can fulfill the dream of World Cup in Costa Rica

Panama wants to take a decisive step on the day of this triple match

Meeting the Concacaf qualifications is like writing a script for a thrilling crime thriller. The last three match days have been full of interesting duets and aspects such as a perhaps decisive local derby, a possible return to the world stage after 36 years and a neck-and-neck race between the two World Cup 2018 participants in Russia for the playoffs. Location.

Five teams are still fighting for three straight qualification places and a chance to participate in the Intercontinental Playoff round in June.

24 March 2022
Jamaica – El Salvador Mexico – USA Costa Rica – Canada Panama – Honduras

March 27, 2022
El Salvador – Costa Rica Canada – Jamaica Honduras – Mexico USA – Panama

30 March 2022
Costa Rica – USA Mexico – El Salvador Jamaica – Honduras Panama – Canada

On the first day of match three, Mexico hosts the USA at the Aztec Stadium. This time the Derby is more than fame and glory. The two highest-performing CONCACAF teams in the World Cup are in second place with 21 points and the winner is just one step away from planning a trip to Qatar. The stakes are high and the game is anything but regular for Mexicans.

The United States has won its last three ties, and Gerardo Martino’s allegation last won a friendly in New Jersey in September 2019. The Mexican fanbase demands victory. After all, his team’s last win against the USA in Mexico City dates back to 2009, when they won 2–1. In 2012, the United States recorded their only victory at the legendary Aztec Stadium, a 1–0 victory after a goal from Michael Orozco. This was followed by two draws in the Mexican capital.

After the away game in Mexico, the United States has two important matches, namely a home game against Panama and an away game against Costa Rica. Both the teams have a chance to qualify for the World Cup to be held in Qatar. el trai Will face two sides who have already given up hope of qualifying for the World Cup, in Honduras and at home in El Salvador.

Canada is the only team undefeated in the final qualifying round of CONCACAF. Qualifying for the final edition of the World Cup was little successful for the Canadians. For the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the team did not even make it to the final round, which at the time consisted of six teams. A lot has happened since then. Players of the caliber of Alfonso Davies have raised the standard considerably and national team coach John Herdman has built a team capable of leading the field.

One win is enough for Canadians to return to the world stage. Not easy for the opponents, however, as they have a guest appearance in Costa Rica and would be keen to take three points. ticos Having appeared in four of the last five World Cups, are currently fifth in the table and will no longer be in Qatar. The team started poorly in the final round, but then recovered and went undefeated in the last four games. The Costa Ricans are now looking to continue this positive streak to make it to the playoffs.

However, there are tough matches towards the end of qualification for Costa Rica. The final day at home against an already disappointing El Salvador and then against the United States. Until then, the fate of Costa Ricans in the World Cup will probably not be decided. The future of Canadians looks bright. They host Jamaica on the final day and play the final game in Panama. This means that with the rapid development in football the country’s team is very close to an unforgettable qualifying success.

Panama surprised the whole world by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Some of the heroes of this historic World Cup appearance are still instrumental in the selection of coach Thomas Christiansen. Michael Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Roman Torres, Armando Cooper and Edgar Bersenas have already gained World Cup experience and have become key to the team. The hopes of the whole country rest on him.

Yet there is little room for error in Panama. The team is currently in fourth place with 17 points, followed by Costa Rica only one point behind. For the time being, players from Panama will be entitled to participate in the Intercontinental Playoff Round. However, if it is to continue, they will have to end a negative streak, as they have won only one of the last three matches. This could happen in the first game against bottom-up Honduras, who have not won a game so far.

then stand up canaleros Although with greater challenges they face away from the United States and Canada at home. The encounter with Honduras, which already has no chance, therefore plays an important role.

“We will do everything we can. We have players who can handle pressure and we have to win with hook or rookie. We will do our job well. The players know what to do and have a straight Believe in World Cup qualification.”
Thomas Christiansen (coach, Panama)

Canada has participated in the World Cup only once, in Mexico 1986. At that time they played in Group C and were eliminated after the first round after three losses in as many games. In this edition of the tournament, the Canadian did not score a single goal. Now the situation is very different. Canada is the only team that is still undefeated in the CONCACAF region. He has 13 wins and 4 draws in his account in 17 matches.

4
None of the goalkeepers who have played more than three games in CONCACAF qualifying has scored as few goals as Milan Borjan. The Canadian goalkeeper has played between positions in 12 matches and has only reached his back four times.
5Canadian striker Jonathan David Concacaf was involved in scoring eight goals in the final round of qualifying, leaving the opposition far behind. He himself scored five runs and prepared three. He not only leads the respective lists, but is also directly involved in 42 percent of his team’s goals.

990Panama’s Fidel Escobar is the only outfield player to have played all 990 minutes in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. The defender started every game and was never replaced.