Canada coach John Herdman explained how emotional forward Alphonso Davies felt when he showed up this week for the team’s training camp in Doha for Canada’s first World Cup in 36 years.
“He was blown away,” said Herdman on Saturday, looking forward to making his debut against Belgium next week. “Who wouldn’t be staring at a 24-meter (80-foot) poster with your image on arrival at your hotel.”
But Davies and Canada have lost some of the enthusiasm. The poster could be considered misleading advertising if Davies is unable to play.
The young Bayern Munich star and Canada’s main reference is likely to miss the game against Belgium due to a hamstring problem that has prevented him from playing in the most recent friendlies.
Herdman commented that Davies is “still working on his top speed, but he hasn’t reached that level yet.”
“With hamstring injuries, there is always a key moment,” added Herdman.
Herdman kept the cards, but dropped hints that he is inclined to leave him out against Belgium and take him out in better physical shape against Morocco and Croatia in Group F.
The England coach of the Canadian team acknowledged that Belgium will be the highest quality team they have faced since playing against Brazil more than a decade ago.
“We have to get a good result because it can be a long tournament for Canada,” said Herdman, who felt his team has the ability to surprise and survive the group stage.
Getting Davies wrapped up was already a serious problem, but two other key Canadian players are also in doubt due to injuries: attacking midfielder Stephen Eustaquio and first-choice goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
They are considered by many to be the top three in Canada.
Eustaquio is suffering from an injury on which no details have been given. Borjan complained of abdominal pain in Dubai on Thursday in Canada’s 2-1 friendly victory over Japan. Borjan did not train on Sunday.
“That’s every coach’s life,” Herdman said. “You’re in a bleak situation on the one hand, but with an opportunity on the other.”
Canada is used to adversity. They finished first in the CONCACAF qualifying rounds despite repeated injuries to their figures.
They managed to win both home games against Mexico (2-1) and the United States (2-0) and drew in both away games (1-1).
“We played several games without Alphonso Davies in qualifying and we did well,” said Canadian midfielder Samuel Piette. “We want them. We want them to jump onto the field. But at the same time, someone has to step up.”
Piette echoed something Herdman and other players have mentioned: the Canadians want to topple favorites.
“We want to surprise the world and show that Canada is a football country, a serious team,” said Pietta. “Hopefully we can start well against Belgium.”
