It smarts to have to already be thinking about the 2018 World Cup in Russia, what with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil still a year away.
But that is sa国际传媒鈥檚 lot in men鈥檚 soccer after last year鈥檚 devastating 8-1 qualifying loss in Honduras eliminated all hope of the national team going to Brazil next year.
The long rebuilding process to 2018 continues today as sa国际传媒, with defender Adam Straith of Victoria and ranked No. 68 in the world, takes on No.聽26 Japan in a friendly at Doha, Qatar, to be streamed live at 9 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Sportsnet.ca.
The game will be anything but friendly for Japan, which is one win from qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and expected to take the match seriously.
鈥淛apan has quite a strong squad and will be coming at maximum force, for sure,鈥� said acting Canadian head coach Tony Fonseca, during a teleconference interview Thursday from Doha.
鈥淛apan is quite technical and this will be a good challenge for our boys. This is a good opportunity to work out this group of players against an experienced team like Japan.鈥�
Fonseca commented on two Island players.
The 22-year-old Straith, a聽graduate of the Bays United youth system and Oak Bay High, has 11 caps. He returns to the Canadian line-up after being left off during sa国际传媒鈥檚 failed previous round of World Cup qualifying.
The German league pro had been part of a successful earlier round of World Cup qualifying.
鈥淲e鈥檙e following closely all these young players,鈥� said Fonseca.
鈥淏eing in or out of the national team line-up is not a big deal. We are tracking all of them. We鈥檙e quite pleased with how [Straith] has performed in camp.鈥�
sa国际传媒鈥檚 chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup were dealt a tremendous blow when veteran midfielder Josh Simpson of Victoria went down with a horrific leg break last spring in a Swiss Premier League game.
The 29-year-old graduate of the Juan de Fuca youth system and Belmont Secondary still looms large in sa国际传媒鈥檚 future once he recovers.
鈥淸Simpson] is jogging now,鈥� said Fonseca.
鈥淲e hope he recovers fast and well. But it鈥檚 too soon to know if he will be ready for the Gold Cup [this summer in the U.S.].鈥�
sa国际传媒 follows up the Japan game with a friendly Monday in Doha against No. 62 Belarus.
