Canada Looking Forward To Friendly With Japan

On Thursday, Canada’s Men’s National Team interim head coach Mauro Biello and Alistair Johnston met the media.

With only friendly in the October international window Canada, spent the last three days training hard and preparing to face Japan once again.

“We are expecting a very difficult match,” Biello said when asked about the matchup. “They play really well and their players are exceptional players for their clubs, so we expect a well-disciplined team tactically and we need to be ready.”

Biello was asked if he had already selected his starting eleven for the game on Friday. He did confirm that they already have been selected.

“My starters are ready. We had our last training session tonight and spirits are high on the team. We hope to bring that tomorrow on the pitch, and we hope to have a good performance.”

Japan has been on a tear recently, beating Germany and Turkey in the September window and also getting a win against Peru, but most notably reaching the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On their journey to the Final 16, Japan beat Spain and Germany in group play.

It has been one year since Alistair Johnston left CF Montreal, and he was asked if he has been following the team since his move to Celtic – along with once again being able to play with both Mathieu Choiniere and Samuel Piette while on national team duty.

“I bought the MLS Season Pass,” he responded. “Unfortunately all the games are super late for me to watch, but whenever I can I try to tune In and see what is going on.”

He also commended Choiniere for the way he has played and had nothing but praise for him.

“I am not surprised at all by what Mathieu has done and he deserves to be here. You can tell he is a really good footballer and can play any position – he’s clean on the ball and good at finding space.”

“he is the kind of player that Canada needs to develop,” continued Johnston. “He’s at a real high level so I am excited to see him get his chance here and he fully deserves it and it’s good to see Samuel Piette back from injury and back with the national team.’

Fans in Canada can watch the friendly against Japan on Friday morning at 6:35AM EST on OneSoccer. The game will be played at the Denka Big Swan Stadium in Niigata.