As they prepare to make their first World Cup appearance in over 36 years, Canada faces Bahrain in a warm-up match at Khalifa Sports City Stadium on Friday.

It will be the first time the two nations meet in an international fixture, with Dilmun's losing their previous two matches in September, while the Canucks were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay in its last encounter.

Match preview

A World Cup campaign full of promise ended in disappointment for Bahrain as they wound up third in their second-round qualifying group behind Iran and Iraq.

After upsetting the 2019 Asian Cup semi-finalists (Iran) in October of that same year, there was a belief that this could be the moment this nation finally made it to the finals.

Ultimately, a failure to hang onto a late lead against the Iraqis in their opening round two qualifying fixture did them in, as Mohanad Ali levelled that match at 1-1 in the 85th minute, which looking back, would have put them a point above them in the group standings, had they maintained that advantage.

While they missed the finals, there are many positives that this team can take away from how they have competed since Helio Sousa took charge.

They have defended exceptionally well under his leadership, posting six clean sheets in the second World Cup qualification stage, while conceding a goal or fewer in 10 of their 12 matches played this year.

In the new millennium, they have only faced one side from the CONCACAF region, losing 2-0 at home to Panama in late September.

Just like it was 36 years ago, Canada did not receive a favourable draw ahead of the World Cup as they prepare to face three teams vastly more experienced than them in Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

For manager John Herdman, though, it fits the mentality he has preached to his players since their 2022 qualification cycle began of us against the world.

The Canadians had the longest road to Qatar of any CONCACAF nation, having to top their first-round group, then defeating Haiti in a two-leg affair before rising to the top of the Octagon with 28 points.

Not only have Les Rouges emerged as a quality side within their region, but they managed to do it without some of the biggest Canadian exports who missed a good portion of qualifying because of injuries.

Since 2000, they have faced Asian teams on seven occasions, winning only twice over that stretch, with their most recent triumph coming in September, 2-0 over Qatar.

One thing this team have done better than most in their region is maintain an advantage when they get one, winning all six of their 2022 fixtures in which they have drawn first blood, failing to concede in each of those contests.

Team News

Kamil Al Aswad had four goals for Bahrain in the second round of qualifying, one more than Ismail Abdullatif, while goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaffer posted consecutive clean sheets in their Asian Cup qualifying victories over Bangladesh.

Talal Al-Shurouqi is the only Bahraini player selected for this international window that has yet to feature for the senior side, Mohamed Marhoon needs one goal to move into a tie with Mohmood Abdulrahman for seventh all-time.

Sayed Mohammed Jaffer can surpass Mohamed Husain for second in all-time caps for his country if he plays on Friday, while Ali Haram scored their last goal in a 2-1 defeat versus Cape Verde.

Canadian fans held their breath last weekend when wing-back Alphonso Davies was taken off for Bayern Munich with a hamstring strain, though the club is saying that he is unlikely to miss the World Cup, but he will not be available for this encounter.

Maxime Crepeau is out of the World Cup after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup Final, while Lucas Cavallini needs two goals to catch Dale Mitchell and John Catliff for third all-time with the national team.

Samuel Piette can move into a tie with Alex Bunbury for the ninth-most appearances with the Canadian team if he plays against Bahrain and Japan.

Herdman chose a squad made up primarily of MLS players for these upcoming friendlies, 17 of which feature for Canadian clubs, including three CF Montreal players looking to earn their first international caps, Mathieu Choiniere, Joel Waterman and James Pantemis.

Bahrain possible starting lineup:
Jaffer; Hasan, Bennadi, Al Hayam, Al-Hooti; Al-Shaikh, Abdullatif, Marhoon; Saeed, Helal, Madan

Canada possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Johnston, Miller, Edwards; Laryea, Piette, Kaye; Osorio; Kone, Cavallini, Akinola

We say: Bahrain 0-1 Canada

Many of the names selected for these Canadian friendlies are likely not on Herdman's 26-man roster at the moment, and knowing they have one last chance to impress the manager should give Les Rouges an edge in this encounter.

Bahrain like to slow down the tempo of a game and follow you everywhere, and we expect they will make it difficult for Canada to transition and utilize their speed, but the Canucks' depth should eventually break through.

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