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Stalteri sets Canadian sights
(FIFA.com) Thursday 24 July 2008
With some of the best players in the country's history, Canada are hoping for big things at the start of the first CONCACAF group phase of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Captain Paul Stalteri, who has spent most of a sparkling career in the top flight in Germany and England, will be leading the Canuck charge.
The full-back sat down for a brief chat with FIFA.com.
"The team is coming together in a good way at the moment," said the defender, who marshalled the Canadian rearguard in their 7-1 aggregate win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the last round. "We have a good blend of older players and some young kids coming through. We're happy about the combination of talent we have in the team and, so far, we're playing some good soccer."
The combination of players includes a handful from Europe's top flights, a new and welcome trend in the Canadian national team. The outstanding Julian De Guzman spearheads the foreign brigade as one of Deportivo La Coruna's top performers in recent years. Tomasz Radzinski of Skoda Xanthi in Greece and FC Copenhagen's Atiba Hutichinson also figure in a Canuck squad that roared all the way to the semis of last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Good blend
Stalteri, though always modest, is pleased with the team's overall style as well as their recent results. "Canada is not just a team that will come out and give it their all and defend," said the 30-year-old former Werder Bremen full-back. "We have a good core of players who like to attack and play a bit of fast, intricate passing football."
In addition to a raft of Europe-based players, the Canadians also boast three-time MLS champion Dwayne De Rosario in the creator's role and goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who plays alongside 'D-Ro' in Houston, between the posts.
Even so, the North Americans will be considered long shots to make it through their first-round group. Drawn with such regional giants as Mexico, Jamaica and Honduras, Stalteri knows his men will have their work cut out.
"This is my third attempt at qualifying," said the captain, who is expecting to return to Tottenham next month after being loaned out to Fulham last season. "I've never seen a tougher-looking group than this one we've ended up in. But we really can't get caught up in worrying about that. We'd eventually need to beat these teams anyway if we want to make it to the World Cup, so let's just get on with it."
"You'd have to be a fool to not say Mexico are the favourites," the 67-times capped defender went on. "It seems they always qualify for the World Cup and they are loaded with great players."
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ne...anadian+sights
(FIFA.com) Thursday 24 July 2008
With some of the best players in the country's history, Canada are hoping for big things at the start of the first CONCACAF group phase of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Captain Paul Stalteri, who has spent most of a sparkling career in the top flight in Germany and England, will be leading the Canuck charge.
The full-back sat down for a brief chat with FIFA.com.
"The team is coming together in a good way at the moment," said the defender, who marshalled the Canadian rearguard in their 7-1 aggregate win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the last round. "We have a good blend of older players and some young kids coming through. We're happy about the combination of talent we have in the team and, so far, we're playing some good soccer."
The combination of players includes a handful from Europe's top flights, a new and welcome trend in the Canadian national team. The outstanding Julian De Guzman spearheads the foreign brigade as one of Deportivo La Coruna's top performers in recent years. Tomasz Radzinski of Skoda Xanthi in Greece and FC Copenhagen's Atiba Hutichinson also figure in a Canuck squad that roared all the way to the semis of last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Good blend
Stalteri, though always modest, is pleased with the team's overall style as well as their recent results. "Canada is not just a team that will come out and give it their all and defend," said the 30-year-old former Werder Bremen full-back. "We have a good core of players who like to attack and play a bit of fast, intricate passing football."
In addition to a raft of Europe-based players, the Canadians also boast three-time MLS champion Dwayne De Rosario in the creator's role and goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who plays alongside 'D-Ro' in Houston, between the posts.
Even so, the North Americans will be considered long shots to make it through their first-round group. Drawn with such regional giants as Mexico, Jamaica and Honduras, Stalteri knows his men will have their work cut out.
"This is my third attempt at qualifying," said the captain, who is expecting to return to Tottenham next month after being loaned out to Fulham last season. "I've never seen a tougher-looking group than this one we've ended up in. But we really can't get caught up in worrying about that. We'd eventually need to beat these teams anyway if we want to make it to the World Cup, so let's just get on with it."
"You'd have to be a fool to not say Mexico are the favourites," the 67-times capped defender went on. "It seems they always qualify for the World Cup and they are loaded with great players."
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ne...anadian+sights