Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

November 11, 2015 Twitter

@HarJournalist

Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device





VANCOUVER, B.C - Canada has a terrific opportunity to jump out to a fantastic start in the 4th round of World Cup qualifying with Honduras being the opponent on Friday night at BC Place. Canada is in a tough Group A which also features the likes of Mexico and El Salvador. Coach Benito Floro will look to see his team earn more than just a draw vs Honduras.



Midfielder Julian de Guzman knows how tough it will be.



"It's very important. Home games, when it comes to World Cup qualifiers, it's pretty much more than three points and it feels like a final as well. The competition's also very very tough and it's very important we get the result at home before going there on the road. This game will pretty much set the momentum for us in this group stage and it's going to be our first home game out of the three that we get. Nine points usually should be enough to clinch the next round."



Canada has brought in several new faces to help with World Cup qualifying aspirations. Junior Hoilett has long been a targeted international and full-back Fraser Aird has also joined Canada's camp in Vancouver this week. It's a lot of pressure to place on the newbies, however de Guzman is thrilled to have some new players in the squad as it has upped morale.



"Yeah, it's my first time involved with a lot of these new faces. A lot of these new faces are guys we've been waiting for, for a long time and it's great to have them here. On paper it's probably one of the better squads I've seen in a very long time. It's added a lot of excitement. I think the guys are eager for this first game together and yeah it's definitely a lot to prove (with) the type of quality we have in the squad."



Finding the balance between younger players and older veterans like the 34 year-old de Guzman will be vital. In his 83 caps for Canada, de Guzman has 4 goals to his name. He isn't the kind of guy who gets up in the locker-room and yells to fire up his teammates. He is a quiet leader who does his talking on the pitch. De Guzman will use his 18 years of football experience and his knowledge of all things CONCACAF to help some of the younger lads on Team Canada find their feet during World Cup qualifying.



"The balance is where it should be at with a lot of young guys coming up with good qualities and from very good situations as well, but getting their first taste of international football, it's important the experienced guys, the veterans lead them with what to expect. It's a lot different from when you play at your club. CONCACAF brings a different feel to international football. It's important that we the guys on point and expect them to switch on very quick because it's a quick turnover. I think the leaders that we have on this team will make it easy for them to adjust."



Football outdoors in November is an ideal hobby for international football players. However, playing football in Canada outdoors in November isn't the most popular notion. Honduras will not be use to the cold, crisp, and possible rainy Vancouver weather. With BC Place roof expected to be open and temperatures hovering below 9-Celsius, this could be one of the keys to beating Honduras.



"The key to beating Honduras is obviously... they're not use to playing in these conditions if that's the case and we've got to make it very difficult for them. Making it difficult for them is pretty much playing our football. We've been working a lot on what Benito (Floro) wants for quite some time. I think finally he has the players he feels fit the system at best and being able to come to the camp fit and prepared will be something Honduras will have trouble to deal with on Friday."



While Julian de Guzman is fulfilling his international responsibilities with Canada, he will be missing an important match with his club team. The Ottawa Fury have advanced to the NASL finals and will play the New York Cosmos on Sunday, November 15 in New York. Since this is a FIFA international week, de Guzman's international duty comes before his club team. Ottawa will be without his services and the former Deportivo de La Coruña midfielder has a message for the higher-ups with the NASL.



"Yeah, it's very unfortunate that the timing of the games for the World Cup qualifiers clashes with the finals of the NASL. For me it's important for me just to switch on focus on what my job is. Hopefully in the future NASL can learn from this and use MLS as an example and other leagues. When it comes to a World Cup qualifier games maybe take that into consideration and realize that there is also players in the NASL that do represent their national teams."



Julian de Guzman and Canada will look to the fans for support at BC Place on Friday night. An early goal would go a long way in engaging the fans and confidence of Canada. Honduras come in ranked 95th in the latest FIFA rankings and Canada will no doubt be looking to play spoiler with three points available.



