Canada’s task against Rwanda: Just win, don’t worry about by how much

Canada goes into its final group stage match at the U-17 World Cup knowing that a win will likely be enough to send it through to the elimination stages of the tournament. Even if a win over Rwanda allows it to only finish third behind Uruguay (which has already qualified) and England, the team should finish strongly enough to be one of the four third-place teams to book spots in the final 16. At least that’s what coach Sean Fleming is gambling on. He promised that he’s not going to do the math on goal difference — that getting three points against Rwanda is the only thing on his mind. “We have to win… we are going to focus on our performance, our 90 minutes,” said Fleming in a conference call with media on Thursday. Canada has one point after two games, after a 3-0 loss to Uruguay and a dramatic 2-2 draw with England that saw keeper Quillan Roberts’ 60-yard speculative boot of the ball bound into the goal for the late equalizer. Rwanda was beaten by two late England goals; it took Uruguay until the fifth minute of injury time to score the winner against a Rwandan side that Fleming described as “athletic and very physical.” And while Rwanda knows it is going home after the Canada match, Fleming doesn’t expect the opposition to roll over. “It’s their first World Cup. They are going to want to go home with a win or a tie, as well.” Fleming said that, outside of keeper Maxime Crepeau, the entire roster is available for selection. Defender Samuel Piette left the England game late in the second half with a knock, but he is available for Saturday’s match.