Canada players celebrate after a winning goal during a friendly soccer match against Japan in Dubai, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Christopher Pike)

By Derek Craddock

GO CANADA GO

‘Anything’s possible’: Local soccer community excited for Canada and the World Cup

Nov 23, 2022 | 8:00 AM

From local players to coaches and everyday fans, soccer enthusiasts in Prince Albert can’t wait to see Canada in the FIFA World Cup.

The Men’s National team plays its first game at the World Cup in 36 years as they face Belgium to open its group stage on Wednesday.

There is a lot of excitement in the local soccer scene according to Dragan Ivkovic, the Technical Director of the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association (PAYSA).

“I believe anyone in Canada, anyone who follows soccer from Newfoundland to B.C, this is the biggest event I believe we’ve had in our lifetime,” he said. “Everyone must be proud for sure.”

He said since the start of the tournament, the office phone for PAYSA has been ringing off the hook with fans sharing their excitement over what’s happened so far.

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Aside from the excitement for the game and big moments such as Saudi Arabia’s upset over Argentina on Tuesday, controversy surrounds the host nation Qatar over its treatment of migrant workers to build stadiums and its negative record on human rights.

Ivkovic said he does his best to just focus right now on the sport, adding he doesn’t believe those issues will get in the way.

“I think that the event is too big for that,” he said. “I agree there’s a lot of controversies but if you ask me as a sports person, I am trying to stay out of the politics.”

Ivkovic believes anything is possible in this tournament and that Canada might have a good chance of making the Round of 16.

“If Saudi Arabia is able to beat Argentina, anything’s possible,” he said.

Canada faces Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in its Group F matches.

The PAYSA has had a successful indoor season so far, according to Ivkovic, with close to 800 players right now which he credits to the hard work of the organization and the success of Canadian Men’s and Women’s Soccer.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock