Montréal, QC – canada’s Men’s National Team faces Australia at Saputo Stadium on Friday in a crucial World Cup preparation match. Head coach Jesse Marsch anticipates a challenging contest against an opponent “committed as a group to be organized, to be aggressive,” noting they “don’t give up many goals.”
Marsch emphasized the contrasting styles, highlighting Australia’s “real size and physical presence” against canada’s “speed and power,” with both teams aiming to exploit those differences. He has signaled a shift away from experimentation, stating in September he was “done with rotating and experimenting” as he narrows down his squad with the World Cup now eight months away.
Nine players who started both recent friendlies against Romania and Wales are expected to feature in the starting XI. Marsch confirmed Maxime Crépeau will start in goal, with Dayne St. Clair slated to start next Tuesday’s match against Colombia. Ismaël Koné will also start in midfield. Attacking options like Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, and the returning liam Millar are available off the bench, though Marsch acknowledged it would be “harsh” to remove Ali Ahmed from the left wing given his recent form.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Canada: Crépeau; Sigur,De Fougerolles,Cornelius,Laryea; Buchanan,Koné,Choinière,Ahmed; Oluwaseyi,J.David
Australia: Ryan; Miller, Circati, Degenek, Burgess, Boss; O’Neill, Devlin; Boyle, Touré, Metcalfe
ALL-TIME SERIES
Canada wins: 3 | Australia wins: 5 | Draws: 1
Last meeting: oct. 15, 2013 – Canada 0-3 Australia
KEY QUOTES
“This is a different Canada. This is a talented Canada, this is a team that doesn’t fear anyone right now. We still have to maintain, internally, real hunger and drive to continue to improve and be our best, as the minute that we start to feel like we’re doing well and things are going well, that’s when you can slip up. I’m continuing to feed the hunger and demand more and more from them,because that’s what we need to be at our best.” – Canada head coach Jesse Marsch
“I’m so happy to play here in Montréal, it’s been a while. I think I was at that game against Curaçao in 2017. It’s crazy to be here, back with family, and the fanbase is so great here. I think we’re here to put on a good show and play our style.” - Canada midfielder Mathieu Choinière
