Canada needs a win against Rwanda to advance at Mexico 2011

Now that all teams in the competition have played two games, Canada knows that only a win against Rwanda on 25 June in Pachuca, MEX will be good enough to see the squad through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Canada’s historic draw against England on 22 June, which earned the country its first ever point at a FIFA U-17 World Cup, ensures that the team remains in contention as it prepares for its final group-stage match.

"We have to focus on our performance," said Head Coach Sean Fleming on a conference call with the Canadian media on 22 June. "I believe that if we go out there and put forward a great performance the result will follow."

Despite the fact that the African debutants at the tournament have taken zero points from their opening two matches, Fleming emphasized that Rwanda will pose a serious threat to Canada in the final Group C match for his team.

"We know that Rwanda is a skilled and well-coached side. The team finished as runners-up in the African qualifying for this tournament."

Canada has never advanced out of the group stage at a FIFA U-17 World cup.

Should Canada qualify for the Round of 16 the squad would become only the second Canadian team to advance beyond the group stage at any men’s FIFA World Cup. Dale Mitchell’s Canadian U-20 team made it all the way to the quarterfinals at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Coach Fleming expressed to the media that Canada will be without goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau for the match. The keeper remains ruled out with a lower body injury.

He indicated that Quillan Roberts will make his second straight start in goal for Canada.

Uruguay currently leads Group C with six points. England currently occupies the second automatic qualification spot with four points.

Canada sits third in the group with one point while the Rwandans are ranked fourth with zero points.

Canada must finish in the top two places in its group or as one of the four highest-ranking third places finishers to advance at Mexico 2011.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 runs this 18 June to 10 July in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Morelia, Pachuca, Queretaro and Torreón.