Canada head coach Jesse Marsch knows his side will be up against it when they lock horns with reigning Copa champions Argentina for a place in the final, nevertheless, he insists that they “will go for it,” Soccernet.football reports.
Canada are billed to face World champions Argentina in the Copa America semifinals at the MetLife Stadium on Wednesday following their penalty shootout victory over Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
The Canucks are fully familiar with the challenge that awaits them at the MetLife Stadium, having already met La Albiceleste in their tournament opener where they lost 2-0 despite their valiant efforts.
Marsch’s men have become just the fourth CONCACAF team to reach the last four of the Copa America and the third team to do so on their debut, after Mexico (1993 runners-up), Honduras (third in 2001) and the United States (third in 1995).
While they have won themselves plenty of admirers on their incredible journey in the United States, Marsch is aware of the need to take things up a notch on Wednesday.
“Argentina will have to be the best match we’ve ever played and it still might not be enough,” he said. “But whatever. We’re going to go for it.”
Captain Alphonso Davies agreed with those sentiments but noted that Canada had given Argentina a scare in their previous game, saying; “It’s going to take everything. We played them in the group stage and we played well but didn’t get the win we wanted.”
Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was a standout performer in Canada’s opening game against the reigning champions, limiting the relentless Argentina attack to just two goals when they could easily have had a few more.
The 30-year-old has had a splendid tournament so far but he will need to be at his absolute best if the Canucks are to stand any chance of keeping Argentina’s vastly talented front line at bay.