Canada have a chance to take a step closer to the "Hex" with a positive result this Friday night on the Road to Russia when they face rivals Honduras on Match Day 5 of the CONCACAF semi-final stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers.
Canada will face Honduras away on Friday, September 2 and then El Salvador at home on Tuesday, September 6. Both matches will be broadcast on TSN and RDS2, with the Friday match kicking off at 5pm et and the Tuesday match kicking off at 10pm et.
Canada and Honduras are even on four points after four matches, so the Friday match is massively important for both sides. Between Canada, Honduras, and El Salvador (two points after four matches), only one of those nations will finish second in the group and join Mexico in the "Hex."
"Our players know perfectly that the battle will be on the pitch," said Benito Floro, Head Coach of Canada Soccer's Men's National Team. "We can say that this will be a battle between 22 players and that the team that keeps their shape and tactical plan will have the best chance to win the match."
Canada and Honduras have long been rivals in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Their last meeting in this semi-final round was a 1-0 win for Canada at Vancouver in front of a memorable crowd at BC Place in November 2015. With both nations tied on points, the 2 September match in San Pedro Sula will play a big part in the final group standings.
"If we get three points, it puts us in the driver's seat," said David Edgar. "It's in our hands and that's the best way to look at it."
Since both nations' last matches in March, Canada played a pair of international matches during the June window, posting a draw and a win in preparation for these September matches. Players have since competed with their clubs before rejoining Canada at the end of August for this opportunity to win a spot in the "Hex".
Among this group of players in club action this season, several have returned "home" to clubs in Canada, including Edgar with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Marcel de Jong with Whitecaps FC (after a stint with Ottawa Fury FC), Nik Ledgerwood with FC Edmonton, Tosaint Ricketts with Toronto FC, and Jamar Dixon with Ottawa Fury FC.
Also since the spring, Atiba Hutchinson has won a Turkish Süper Lig with Beşiktaş JK to qualify for 2016-17 UEFA Champions League while Scott Arfield has won the England Championship with Burnley FC to earn promotion to the Premier League.
"Our players have demonstrated an excellent commitment along the way," said Benito Floro, Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach. "The players trust in their capacity to achieve a place in the Hex."
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