Canada have been drawn into a tough Group A with Honduras, Mexico, and Antigua & Barbuda at the 2017 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship. Canada will open against Honduras on Friday, February 17 at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San José, Costa Rica.
“At this level, you know that every group will be competitive and decided by key moments and goals,” said Rob Gale, Canada Soccer's men's national U-20 team coach. “It will be vital that we get our moments right and that we get the best performances on the day.”
From 12 nations, only four will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. In the opening round, the 12 nations are divided into three groups of four, with two nations from each group to advance to the Classification Phase.
Group A: Mexico, Antigua & Barbuda, Honduras, Canada
Group B: USA, Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis, Haiti
Group C: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago
February 17, 2017 - Honduras vs. Canada; Mexico vs. Antigua & Barbuda
February 20, 2017 - Antigua & Barbuda vs. Honduras; Mexico vs. Canada
February 23, 2017 - Antigua & Barbuda vs. Canada; Mexico vs. Honduras
Following the opening round (February 17-25), the six nations will be divided into two groups, as determined by the draw and the corresponding placements in the opening round.
Group D - Group B 2nd Place; Group A 1st Place; Group C 1st Place
Group E - Group B 1st Place; Group A 2nd Place; Group C 2nd Place
In the Classification Phase, the top two teams in each group will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. The two group winners will also play in the Championship match on Sunday, March 5.
All matches will be played in San José, Costa Rica, at either Estadio Nacional or Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. The Championship match will be played at Estadio Nacional.
“Right now, we are not looking further than Honduras,” said Gale. “We know they will be a tough opponent, strong and direct in their play. We will have to match their play and be creative at the other end.”
The 2017 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship runs February 17 to March 5 in Costa Rica. From 12 CONCACAF nations, the top four will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 from May 20 to June 11.
