Canada players say they need ‘swagger’ and ‘arrogance’ to snag historic first World Cup win

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) 鈥� Canada is ready to set aside its reputation for politeness, at least during the

With a chance to make history at home, after decades of World Cup disappointment, Canada鈥檚 players are talking less about manners and more about mentality.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 always a bad thing to play with arrogance,鈥� midfielder Niko Sigur said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檙e at our best when we play with that swagger.鈥�

Canada opened Group B play earning the country’s first World Cup point. On Thursday at BC Place against Qatar, Canada will be seeking its first victory.

鈥淚 think if we鈥檙e at our best and we鈥檙e all together, including guys off the bench and the starters,鈥� Sigur said, 鈥渢hat we can give them a lot of trouble.鈥�

To make toppling Qatar more of challenge, Canada will have to do it short-handed.

Alphonso Davies, Canada鈥檚 captain and its lone World Cup goal scorer before Cyle Larin found the net last week, after missing the opener with a lingering hamstring injury. Forward Promise David is recovering from a hip injury and Marcelo Flores, one of Canada’s top performers during qualifying, was ruled out of the tournament in May with a knee injury.

Defender Mo茂se Bombito has not played since suffering a broken leg in October. Before that, he had started every match during coach Jesse Marsch鈥檚 two-year tenure.

The injuries have created opportunities for others, including Jayden Nelson, who replaced Flores on the roster after netting a stoppage-time goal against Uzbekistan earlier this month.

鈥淲e know we have the weapons” needed to win, midfielder Stephen Eust谩quio said.

That confidence has become a recurring theme for Canada. Rather than focusing on the pressure of hosting, players have embraced the moment.

“You could use the word 鈥榩ressure,鈥欌€� defender Richie Laryea said. 鈥淚 think we could use the word 鈥榬eady.鈥欌€�

Laryea鈥檚 perspective reflects the attitude Marsch has tried to establish since taking the job. Canada has become known for its high-intensity pressing system and willingness to challenge opponents physically.

鈥淲e鈥檙e always on the front foot,鈥� Laryea said. 鈥淚 think that coincides pretty well with getting in people鈥檚 faces.鈥�

Yet players understand there is a fine line between playing with an edge and going too far.

Defenders Luc de Fougerolles and Alistair Johnston each carry yellow cards into the Qatar match. If teams finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored 鈥� which is where all four teams in Group B currently stand 鈥� FIFA鈥檚 fair-play system acts as a tiebreaker, meaning disciplinary records could influence who advances from the group.

Four years ago, Qatar became the first host country to lose all three group matches. But after watching Sigur said Qatar should be taken seriously, pointing to its focus across 90 minutes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the World Cup,鈥� forward Ali Ahmed said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 play this game on paper.鈥�

More than 50,000 fans are expected at BC Place for a match that could become one of the most significant in Canadian soccer history, and players have repeatedly referenced the energy they hope Vancouver can provide.

鈥淚 think losing my voice will be a good call,鈥� said Canada fan Adam Lovell, a member of a supporters’ club called The Voyageurs. 鈥淚鈥檒l try to set the tone with the fan culture.鈥�

Eust谩quio is aiming for an aggressive start fueled by a sense of urgency to give the home crowd something to cheer.

鈥淗opefully,鈥� Eust谩quio said, 鈥渢hat takes out the little bit of power that Qatar has.鈥�

He knows this is no time to be polite.

___

Drew Renner is a student in the University of Georgia鈥檚 Carmical Sports Media Institute.

___

AP World Cup:

太子探花