CSN looks at five pressing questions heading into Canada v Japan
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]1. Can Sinclair be stopped?
This is really the only question that Japan has heading into the match. Christine Sinclair is Canada. There is likely no player in the world game more valuable to her team than she is. Bluntly, if Sinclair were to go down with an injury Canada would be touch and go to hold onto its position in the so-called tier 2 teams. Luckily for Canada she’s healthy and on a bit of a roll. Japan, with its smaller sized players, represents the type of team Sinclair can be effective against as well. If Japan does not shut down the big Canadian, they could be ripe for the upset.
2. Can Canada get the ball?
Japan plays a highly technical, possession game. Although Canada has evolved a bit from its bad old days of pure boot and chase you can bet that Big Red’s possession stats are going to look like my Grade 12 calculus mark (hint: I’m a writer). Possession can be overrated – if Canada can play a smart counter game it will give itself a chance to win – but it will be imperative for the midfield to step up and stop Japan from getting penetration inside. As well, the wide players need to get themselves into good attacking position quickly to have a chance of getting that elusive ball onto Sinclair’s feet/head.
3. HOLD THE LINES!
If Canada is to win today it’s likely going to be a 1-0 score line. They need to be tight at the back and force Japan into wide positions. Unfortunately the team that most plays like Japan in the world is France and we all remember the pure panic Canada played with when they met in Germany. Being solid at the back is more than stopping the initial attack, it’s also about how you deal with the ball after you make the stop. Too often Canada resorts to “icing the puck.” Eventually, you get scored on when you repeatedly give the ball away and wait to be attacked again.
4. Will someone surprise?
We all know about Sinclair. The whole world knows about her. If Canada is to be successful it needs a secondary star to break out. Diana Matheson has been a very good player through the years, but it would be a mistake to call her a superstar – here is an opportunity for her to change that. We’ve long heard about the possibility of Jonelle Filigno breaking out – no better time than now. Regardless, someone has to take the pressure off Sinclair because as good as she is she can be stopped by Japan.
5. Is the head shrunk yet?
Canada has continued to demonstrate that it is mentally weak. That may be harsh to say, but the evidence is there. When the pressure of a big even is upon them, of late they’ve wilted. John Herdman has had them working with a psychologist. Today we find out if it is working. How they react to the first bit of pressure will be a hint – if they retain shape and play out of the trouble (as they’ve been taught) we have a game on our hands. If they panic and BOOT IT TO HELL OUTTA THERE…bet the over.