Group B's General Discussion Thread

I am pretty confident that Switzerland wins this group fairly comfortably. First of all I think they're already an underrated team slightly and have a lot of good chemistry, structure, and organization; plus some talent with the likes of Shaqiri, Xhaka, Sommer, Freuler, Akanji, Embolo, and a few others.

The toss up is Canada vs Bosnia, and honestly it is a really tough call. I feel like home advantage maybe favors Canada, but it's extremely close and I wouldn't rule out Bosnia at all.

And then Qatar I think is pretty standard last place and probably one of the weakest teams in the tournament.

It'll be interesting to watch that Canada vs Bosnia game and see if both can advance with third place or not.

 

I dont see Canada Bosnia being that close for 2nd. I think its more likely Canada tops the group than finishes 3rd.

They've played without Davies for over a year and have draws against Ecuador, Colombia, Ivory Coast.

Beating teams like the USA, Venezuela, Ukraine, Wales.

They will be fine.

 

Also, it sounds like that injury occurred during the loss to PSG. So, 4-5 weeks out from that match gives him a chance. We're already more than a week into the recovery period.

Granted, not the way you want to prepare for a WC, especially as he had just come back from an injury before the PSG encounter.

 

It sucks, but Canada has learned to live without him. Anything he can add will just be a boost.

 

This Group just isn't sexy. Maybe if Italy would have made it but even then they were playing relatively poorly.

I think Canada is going to show up and advance but the longer Bosnia keeps the game close the more pressure goes on the shoulders of the home team. So who knows?

 

I have been saying for a couple years that Canada plays better without Davies as they have never really figured out what position he should play. I think if they want to beat better teams they will need him to finally step up for Canada, but missing him against Bosnia/Qatar won't make much of a difference. The narrative that Canada's growth over the past five years is solely due to Davies is grossly incorrect.

Bosnia scares me in the sense that they will just fire a zillion balls into the box and it is very unclear what the health status is of Canada's best...five(?) CB's. Also think there will be a lot more Bosnian support in Toronto than most people think. But Canada has lost one competitive match at BMO Field ever, and you have to go all the way back to 1993 for their most recent competitive loss in Toronto before that. Obviously not a lot of 'big' teams in there (a win against a US B+ team in 2019 and a draw against Mexico in 2000), but still the fact remains that they generally play quite well in Toronto.

Personally I would be quite disappointed with anything less than three points from the opener, but I could certainly see a draw due to Canada's profligation in front of goal under Marsch and/or a big mistake from a backline and goalkeeping duo that is mostly either injured or out of form. I certainly see Bosnia's plan to be sit in for a clean sheet and take advantage of set pieces - very different plan than they had against Italy.

Qatar should be an easy win for the other three teams. Switzerland is a bad matchup for Canada tactically IMO but the hosts will have the travel advantage. There is a world where a final day draw between the two is beneficial for both and that is what I see happening.

My prediction:

Switzerland - 7
Canada - 5
Bosnia - 4
Qatar - 0

 

Group B is ensured to have 3 teams advance to R32, thanks whipping boys QAT being in the group.

CAN is the only team with a 2026 base camp in Canada, besides whipping boys PAN. I don't see CAN moving past R32, but will improve over their 31st-placement in 2022 WC.

https://www.thesoccerworldcups.com/world_cups/2022_final_standings.php

 

If Canada and South Korea both get second place, they face each other in Round of 32. Who do you think wins that if they face each other? I think it might be very close. Canada might have home advantage and South Korea despite having some good talent I don’t feel is managed super well. Koreans have been concerned about management.
Who do you think wins between Canada vs South Korea?

 

Canada doesn't even need Davies to play to beat Korea.

 

No one wins. I see a draw.

 

Who wins on penalties?

 

Probably Korea.

Canada looked pretty lousy during spot kicks their last official match against Guatemala.