Football - CONCACAF OPPONENTS

Canadians' confidence soars after giving Brazil run for its money in rollicking friendly
 

SEATTLE — If every soccer match was as entertaining and as replete with action as Canada's 3-2 loss to Brazil in an international exhibition match on Saturday, the sport's popularity might rival hockey across the Great White North.

Likewise, if the Canadian men's team plays as well as it did against Brazil, the second-ranked team in the world, qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 should not be a problem.

"It's World Cup or nothing," Toronto-born midfielder Julian de Guzman said. "Our possibility of qualifying for this World Cup is much better than a lot of the other opportunities we had in the past."

And so the optimism flowed after Canada stared a soccer power in the eye and did not flinch. The Canadians generated more scoring opportunities than one of the most talented sides on the planet, and they did not look overmatched in the least.

If not for an ill-advised back pass from de Guzman, which was intercepted by Brazil's Robinho and led to the winning goal, Canada could have left Qwest Field with a tie or even a victory.

"It shows that Canada has taken it to another level," de Guzman said. "This is a much better team. It's probably the best team we've fielded. ... We have something good going for us. I'm happy that the guys were able to demonstrate that today and show the world that Canada has a chance to make it into the top three for CONCACAF."

The Canadians scheduled the match against Brazil, and another exhibition game on Wednesday against Panama in Florida, to prepare for their World Cup qualifying schedule.

The Canadians will face St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a home-and-home series for the right to advance to group play in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Associations of Football region. The games will take place in Kingstown on June 15 and in Montreal on June 20.

"We can't afford to underestimate them," head coach Dale Mitchell said. "Most people probably wouldn't have thought that we could be that close with Brazil, and some people will think that St. Vincent and Grenadines won't be that close to us. But, the fact is, in international football in this day and age, it can happen. So, we have to do everything to prepare for them."

Should they emerge against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Canadians would likely enter a group with Mexico, Honduras and Jamaica and play three home-and-home series between August and November.

Canada has not qualified for the World Cup since 1986 in Mexico. It was the country's lone appearance in the world's largest sporting tournament and it ended swiftly, with three losses and no goals.

Canada failed to reach the final stages of qualifying for the past two World Cup tournaments, and other than a win at the 2000 Gold Cup, the national team has had little success in the past two decades.

But the team says that is about to change.

For starters, the Canadians have more offensive talent than ever before. That was evident against Brazil, as they felt they had three clear-cut chances besides their two goals, and several other promising sequences.

Rob Friend of Rosetown, Sask., jumped higher than Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar and headed in a goal in the 16th minute to knot the score 1-1. In the second half, de Guzman's splendid strike from outside the penalty area also found the back of net, which tied the score 2-2.

Those goals were no flukes. They were well constructed and the players took notice.

"The thing I liked about tonight is that when we got the ball and went forward, we looked dangerous," goalkeeper Pat Onstad of Vancouver said. "We created a lot of opportunities tonight and I think that is a very positive step for us."