Marsch assures Canada remain confident without Koné for Switzerland clash | OneFootball

Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch insisted his side remain confident despite being without Ismael Koné following the midfielder’s leg break ahead of their clash with Switzerland.

The co-hosts have made a great start to this year’s World Cup, picking up both their first ever point and their first ever win in two matches against Bosnia and Qatar.

They’re now in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds in Vancouver, creating even more history for a side relatively new to the tournament, this being just their third appearance since 1986.

Canada’s victory over Qatar did came with an unfortunate sub-plot as Sassulo midfielder Ismael Koné was stretchered off after breaking his leg under an awful challenge from Assim Madibo, who was their second player to be dismissed.

Canada rallied after one of their key players was taken off and put two more past a then nine-men Qatar to equal the biggest ever victory by a host in the history of the World Cup.

Marsch was full of praise for his midfielder and mulled over how his side will bounce back after such a shock injury.

He said: “Between Nathan [Saliba], Mathieu Choiniere, Jonathan Osario, and Niko Sigur, we’re going to have to figure out how to use all of our players to get the best out of each game and help fill in the void of what Ismael has meant to the team.

“Koné’s been an incredible player, maybe our best player in the tournament so far. And he’s also a big personality in the group. So we’ll manage it, but it won’t be easy.”

Canada face Switzerland in their final game of Group B knowing that topping the group would mean yet another game at BC Place in Vancouver which could and has given the Canadians the edge in their first two games.

One of the main difference makers for Les Rouges so far has been Southampton striker Cyle Larin, who spoke of the confidence running through his teammates.

“To go into the Switzerland game in a position to win the group, I think we’ve always expected that,” he said.

“I think the group, we’ve always expected to be where we are, just from the quality we have in the group, the talent we have. I think we’ve always expected to be in this position.”

The high confidence isn’t shared amongst the pundits, however, as many expect the side to struggle against a experienced and calmed Switzerland side very much with their mojo back following a rocky 1-1 draw with Qatar.

Switzerland have made the knockouts in five of their six consecutive World Cup tournaments since 2006, whereas Canada are just off the back of their first ever win in a World Cup.

But Les Rouges have meticulously prepared for their European rivals, according to defender Derek Cornelius who spoke highly of his coaches’ preparedness for the crucial battle in Vancounver.

“I think we’ve been very aware that this is a very good Switzerland team that we’re coming up against,” he said.

“They have experience, quality throughout the whole squad. So we need to be ready for it. We need to be aware of their threats and also try to exploit their weaknesses.”

It will be Canada’s most difficult challenge yet and they will need to be on their top game if they are to overcome a Switzerland side containing the talents of Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Dan N’Doye – all of whom excelled in their 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a side that in turn gave Canada more than just a little scare.

Canada’s meeting with Switzerland at BC Place kicks of at 20:00 (BST) and will be available to watch live on ITV1, ITVX, and STV.

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