Canada eyeing CONCACAF semifinals

What a turnaround!

Canada’s quest to earn a berth for this summer’s London 2012 Olympic Games got off to a rocky start with a limp 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Thursday. But just two days later, the Canadians registered a major upset when they looked like world beaters in defeating the heavily-favoured United States 2-0 to revitalize their hopes.

Now Canada can clinch a spot in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a victory or a tie against Cuba Monday night in Nashville.

PROGRAMMING ALERT: Canada’s next game is Monday vs. Cuba in Nashville at 6:30 pm ET. It can be seen live on Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet Ontario & Pacific as well as streamed live on sportsnet.ca. Watch the live stream HERE

The Canadians currently sit tied atop Group A with El Salvador on four points, just ahead of the U.S. (three points) and winless Cuba. The top two in the group move on to the semifinals where they will meet the two best teams from Group B (most likely Mexico and Honduras).

Only the tournament finalists qualify for the London Olympics.

Coach Tony Fonseca made seven line-up changes against the U.S. and the move paid dividends as his Canadian under-23 team looked much sharper against their southern neighbours compared to the El Salvador game.

The additions of defender Doneil Henry and forward Lucas Cavallini to the starting 11 proved especially astute by Fonseca, as both scored the goals that delivered Canada a rare victory over the U.S. on American soil.

“I don’t know if people thought that we were going to be an easy ride. They were wrong. We’re not going to be easy. It’s not often we win games like that. Obviously I’m hoping that people are paying attention,” Fonseca told sportsnet.ca during the team’s Sunday training session.

Defender and captain Nana Attakora added: “It’s the biggest victory I’ve ever had putting on a Canadian jersey.”

All that stands in Canada’s way of getting to the semifinals (and a chance at snatching an Olympic berth) is earning a single point against Cuba. The Cubans have already been eliminated from contention, having lost their opening two games by a combined score of 10-0, but Fonseca isn’t expecting the Island nation to simply roll over.

“Nobody likes to lose and I’m pretty sure they’re going to come with everything they have. There’s pride in place and they will fight for it,” Fonseca said.

Attakora stated that the team’s biggest fear heading into the match is over confidence.

“We can’t be over confident in a tournament like this. We have a good (coaching) staff that helped us get humble again,” he explained.

Also on Thursday, El Salvador plays the U.S in Nashville.

El Salvador leads the group over Canada on goal difference (plus-4 compared to plus-2). A victory over Cuba and El Salvador’s failure to beat the Americans would result in Canada winning the group.

Finishing first place in Group A has its advantages as that nation would likely avoid tournament favourites Mexico in the semifinals, making it easier for them to qualify for the Olympics.

Canada’s previous Olympic appearance came at the 1984 Games when it lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Canada will be without two players for Monday’s match in forwards Randy Edwini-Bonsu (suspension) and Babayele Sodade (injury).