Canada and South Africa prepare for first World Cup knockout appearance

INGLEWOOD: Canada and South Africa will meet on Sunday in the first round-of-32 match of the World Cup, with both sides reaching the knockout stage for the first time in their tournament histories.

Canada have moved beyond the group phase for the first time in three World Cup appearances, while South Africa have done so at the fourth attempt. The South Africans recovered from a poor start to the competition to claim their place in the last 32, finishing second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico.

South Africa recover after difficult start

South Africa opened the tournament with a defensive approach against Mexico in a match in which, little went in their favour. Coach Hugo Broos, 74, then faced criticism, and although he switched to a more attacking setup for the next game against the Czech Republic, South Africa needed a penalty to secure a draw.

The team showed marked improvement in its final Group A outing against South Korea. An attacking display ended with Thapelo Maseko scoring in the 63rd minute to seal the win that sent South Africa through in second place.

Speaking after that result, Broos defended his team and its approach.

"I’m very proud of the performance of my team, and I think we gave an answer to all those big mouths of the last few weeks that thought that we had to change something,"

South Africa will be able to recall key midfielder Teboho Mokoena after suspension, but veteran playmaker Themba Zwane remains unavailable as he serves the final game of a three-match ban following a red card against Mexico.

Canada leave home support behind

Canada recorded their first-ever World Cup match victory when they beat Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver. That result came between a draw with Bosnia and Herzogovina and a defeat to Switzerland in their last Group B fixture. Canada advanced as runners-up and, were disappointed not to finish top, which would have allowed them to remain in Vancouver.

The team has urged supporters to travel south for the knockout game in Los Angeles, posting on social media:

"We’re sorry we have to leave you. But you don’t have to leave us,"

Forward Tani Oluwaseyi said the team is comfortable playing away from home and can draw motivation from opposing crowds.

"I think we, I wouldn’t say prefer, but we really like a hostile environment,"

He added:

“We really like an away crowd, because it just gives you that extra motivation to prove all the fans around you wrong.”

Injury concerns for Canada

Canada’s main fitness concern is captain Alphonso Davies, who has yet to feature in the group stage because of injury issues. Coach Jesse Marsch indicated, however, that Davies should be available for Sunday’s match.

Marsch said Davies’ return could influence the side in several ways.

"That he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team,"

Canada have also been dealing with other injury problems. Central midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg against Qatar, while there are further doubts over the fitness of Stephen Eustaquio and central defender Moise Bombito.

The match therefore brings together two teams entering unfamiliar territory, each seeking to extend a breakthrough World Cup campaign after navigating difficult group-stage paths.