Hello Kittitians: Herdman expects Canada’s toughest Nations League test yet

John Herdman PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER

In two CONCACAF Nations League wins over Puerto Rico and St. Martin, the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has established a +11 goal difference. OK, 10 of those 11 goals came against St. Martin.

Longtime MLS striker (and former Whitecap) Atiba Harris got a hat trick for his nation the last time out. Harry Panayiotou, who played one game for Leicester City and now plays at Nuneaton Borough, has three goals over two games.

So, the Canadian side is expecting a much stiffer test on Nov. 18 in Basseterre than they got in Nations League wins over the US Virgin Islands and Dominica.

“We are moving from CONCACAF tier three to CONCACAF tier two,” said coach John Herdman Thursday.

A Canadian national team that’s very different than the one that Herdman named on Thursday faced St. Kitts and Nevis in a home-and-home World Cup qualifying series back in 2011. Canada could only manage a 0-0 draw in the Caribbean but got a 4-0 result at home.

So, Herdman has had extensive scouting videos prepped for him. The lighting at the team’s practice venue will be upgraded. Herdman said that “no stone will be left unturned” when it comes to prepping for the Nov. 18 match.

“Our game is going to be tested in tough conditions,” he said.

Herdman expects the hosts to be organized at the back, hit on the counter and to play a direct game.

The challenge for the team’s starting keeper, whether it be Milan Borjan (who shut out Liverpool in Champions League action earlier this week), Maxime Crepeau (the USL’s first all-star team goalkeeper selection) or Simon Thomas will be to remain “in tune” with a game when Canada has lots of possession, and be ready for what could be an opposition scoring chance that comes out of nowhere.

“They will have to keep things connected,” Herdman said of his keepers.

“They are definitely a threat to catch you on the counter and crosses on set plays.”

CANADA ROSTER

1- GK- Simon Thomas | NOR / Kongsvinger IL

2- FB- Zachary Brault-Guillard | FRA / Olympique Lyonnais

3- CB- Manjrekar James | DEN / FC Fredericia (on loan)

4- CB- Derek Cornelius | SRB / FK Javor Ivanjica

5- CB- David Edgar | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

6- M- Samuel Piette | CAN / Impact de Montréal

7- M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

8- M- David Wotherspoon | SCO / St. Johnstone FC

9- F- Cyle Larin | TUR / Beşiktaş JK

10- M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC

11- FB- Samuel Adekugbe | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball

12- W- Alphonso Davies | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

13- M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK

14- W- Liam Millar | ENG / Liverpool FC U-23

15- CB- Doneil Henry | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

16- FB- Marcus Godinho | SCO / Heart of Midlothian FC

17- M- Liam Fraser | CAN / Toronto FC

18- GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)

19- F- Lucas Cavallini | MEX / Puebla FC

20- F- Jonathan David | BEL / KAA Gent

21- M- Jay Chapman | CAN / Toronto FC

22- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

23- AM / F- Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla | ESP / FC Barcelona B

(Shamit Shome of the Montreal Impact is being brought to St. Kitts and Nevis as a ”training player.”