There is a certain cold efficiency to the way Switzerland go about their business at major tournaments, and here in Los Angeles they once again demons...
There is a certain cold efficiency to the way Switzerland go about their business at major tournaments, and here in Los Angeles they once again demonstrated that quiet, clinical ruthlessness. After a frustrating hour against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they flipped the switch in the final 20 minutes, with 20 year old Freiburg forward Johan Manzambi emerging from the bench to snatch a brace and effectively put one foot in the knockout stages. It is the kind of performance that makes you wonder: are we witnessing the rise of a genuine Swiss star The kid certainly looks the part.Over in the Canada camp, Jesse Marsch is shuffling his pack ahead of this live encounter with Qatar. Having seen Cyle Larin equalise from the substitutes' bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Canadian head coach has rewarded him with a start. Ali Ahmed also comes into the eleven, replacing Liam Millar and Tani Oluwaseyi. Notably, the talismanic Alphonso Davies is left among the substitutes. It is a bold call, but it speaks to Marsch's insistence on squad depth and tactical flexibility.One wonders what kind of Qatar side will turn up. The Asian champions have endured a tough start to this World Cup, and facing a Canada team desperate to build momentum after that late Larin rescue act feels like a dangerous assignment. If Canada can find their transitional rhythm early, they could expose a Qatari defence that has looked vulnerable to pace. Yet, with Davies waiting in the wings, Marsch has an ace up his sleeve should the game need unlocking. This is squeaky bum time for both nations, and the atmosphere is bound to be electric.
