Match Preview: Canada v CommBank Socceroos | International Friendly
The CommBank Socceroos travel to Saputo Stadium in Montreal to take on Canada in the first international friendly of the October window.
Australia will be hoping that the experience in Canada - one of the host nations of the FIFA World Cup 26™ - will hold them in good stead ahead of the global finals.
It is set to be an incredibly even contest as the Socceroos look to gain a better understanding of the conditions in North America ,while Canada also give their fans a taste of what to expect next year.
The Squad
Head Coach Tony Popovic made eight changes to the squad that retained the Soccer Ashes in the previous international window.
It sees a reintroduction of experience, including the likes of Maty Ryan, Mitchell Duke and Jason Geria. There are also several players such as Alex Robertson, Nick D'Agostino and Cameron Devlin who are returning to the squad for the first time in a number of years after consistently impressing at club level.
Jacob Italiano will have the chance to make his debut, earning his first senior call-up after an injury to Fran Karacic forced a late change. Italiano is a 24-year-old right back currently playing club football in Austria.
There was a slight injury concern over Mo Toure, who pulled up injured in his final club game before the international break, but Popovic indicated earlier in the week that the medical staff expect him to be available for the game against Canada.
"We are fortunate, and we are grateful that we have this opportunity to try and expose these players, these young boys, to our environment," Popovic said.
"We try to put them under pressure, place expectations on them, and see how they are right now. Then, if in 20 or 30 games' time, there is a selection headache, that would be great."
Last Window
The CommBank Socceroos took on New Zealand in the Soccer Ashes last time out, running out 1-0 and 3-1 victors.
Debutant Max Balard - who has retained his place in the squad for this window - scored the winner in the first game in Canberra. In the return leg in New Zealand, Mo Toure scored a brace as he and Nestory Irankunda were incredibly impressive up front.
The Opponent
Canada are preparing for the biggest tournament of their lives as joint hosts of the World Cup next year. Full focus for Head Coach Jesse Marsch is bedding in the side that is likely to start in June, and the tactical system that he hopes will lift them to glory at the global finals.
Les Rouges are a team littered with talent across the park. They are led by striker Jonathan David, who plies his trade at Juventus, while Marseille's Ismael Kone and Villareal's Tajon Buchanan are also likely to feature. Buchanan recently scored his first professional hat-trick.
They will have to contend with several injuries, however. Defender Moise Bombito suffered a broken tibia, which will see him ruled out for four to five months, while Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Celtic's Alistair Johnston are also unavailable.
The injuries mean that their depth players may take a greater role against Australia.
“The team is really clear as to what kind of football we play, and the part that is painfully clear now is that we’re really trying to build the overall leadership and personality of the group,” Canada Head Coach Jesse Marsch said during the week.
“It’s not only encouraged but vital that they insert themselves into every day, that they feel comfortable being they push each other, and that we can have open and honest conversations, and that on the pitch, they’re ready to take things over.”
FIFA World Rankings
Australia: 25
Canada: 26
Insights
- The Socceroos are now eleven games undefeated, and are yet to taste defeat under Head Coach Tony Popovic.
- Canada have only conceded twice in their last seven games; however, in that time, they have lost two penalty shootouts - against Ivory Coast in an International Friendly and Guatemala in the Gold Cup.
- Maty Ryan (100) is the most experienced Socceroo in the squad; the player with the next most amount of caps is Milos Degenek (51).
- Patrick Yazbek and Canada's Jacob Shaffelburg are teammates in MLS for Nashville SC, recently lifting the U.S Open Cup.
Australia form guide: W-W-W-W-W
Canada form guide: W-W-D-W-D
What They Said
Tony Popovic
It’s a wonderful opportunity. I'm grateful that we've got these types of games, playing two [FIFA World Cup 26™] host nations, playing in these conditions. Obviously, we have to play in altitude as well in the States, which is a different challenge, which we may be faced with at the World Cup. They’re quality opposition, a lot of international experience, players that are playing regularly at a very high level. So it's a fantastic test, fantastic challenge, but also a great opportunity for us to play these teams and show what we can do.
Max Balard
For them, it's practice for the World Cup, and obviously for us too. It's also a chance to improve our position in the world rankings, to get a better pot. I just want to keep building on it. I'm eager to show what I can do, eager to play more games and get more caps and hopefully do well for the national team.
Maty Ryan
It’s a taste of what we’re going to be experiencing in the World Cup, and it’s important we can try and maximise every experience to try and gain an advantage over the opposition we’re going to be facing. We want to continue to represent our country in the best way, and we want to continue this winning momentum that we have.
On an individual level, it’s an opportunity for people to be staking their claim to be here in nine months when the World Cup kicks off, so there’s definitely always plenty to play for. There’s no such thing as a friendly game.
Jordy Bos
Both opponents are very good. Every game is always going to be hard, especially against Canada and the USA. I think we just have to stick to the game plan that the coach is laying out for us and give our all. It should be all good, but obviously a bit of a challenging opposition - we’ll see how it goes.
Cam Burgess
I think the main thing is to come into camp and stick to the principles as a team, so it doesn’t change too much who’s playing. Obviously, it’s great to play alongside those guys that I’ve played with the last few games, they’re great players, which always helps.
But other guys are champing at the bit to play as well, so there’s competition for places. There’s no guarantee you’re going to be starting, and every time you get the chance to play, it’s a real honour, and something none of us take for granted.
MATCH DETAILS
Canada v CommBank Socceroos
Friday, 10 October
Stade Saputo, Montreal
Kick-off: 7.30pm local / 10.30am AEDT (Saturday, 11 October)
Broadcast: Paramount+