Japan vs Canada

Japan and Canada are set to trade tackles for the first time since 2013 as the two sides meet in their ultimate prep game ahead of the World Cup at the Al Maktoum Stadium.

After securing their seventh successive appearance at the World Cup finals, Japan will hope to make it out of the first knock-out round for the first time in the country’s history. Starting the tournament in high spirits could prove crucial, and after going unbeaten in their last five internationals (W3, D2), the ‘Samurai Blue’ look to be on the right path. Defensively robust as ever, Hajime Moriyasu’s men have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the build-up to this encounter. Moreover, they conceded just four goals in ten final-round qualifiers leading to Qatar, highlighting the team’s true strength. Taking on Canada in the final warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament fills Japan with confidence, considering they’ve won both previous H2Hs by an aggregate score of 5-1.

In the meantime, Canada ended the country’s two-decade wait for the World Cup finals in an emphatic fashion, finishing top of the CONCACAF qualifying group. In addition to leaving Mexico and the United States in the dust, ‘Les Rouges’ netted more (23) and conceded fewer goals (7) than any other side in the North American region during qualifiers. However, a lack of consistency has been a genuine problem for head coach John Herdman, with his side’s last nine outings fluctuating between three different outcomes (W4, D1, L4). Herdman’s running out of time to shore up Canada’s defensive frailties that have seen them concede 2+ goals in three of their four most recent internationals. But he can be pleased to know his men have netted at scored twice in two of their last three matches.