Canada MNT posts draw in Austria series

With an eye on their Road to Russia, Canada posted a 1:1 draw in a Friday away Men’s International Friendly match against Azerbaijan. The international match, the first of a two-match June 2016 series in Austria, is part of Canada’s preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers against Honduras away on 2 September and El Salvador at home on 6 September.

Tesho Akindele scored Canada’s opening goal, with an assist from Canada’s star of the match Scott ‎Arfield. Dimitrij Nabokov scored the Azerbaijan equaliser on a penalty in the second half. Following the 3 June draw, Canada will next face Uzbekistan on Tuesday 7 June in Bad Waltersdorf, with the match to be broadcast live on migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io (16.00 local / 10.00 ET / 07.00 PT).

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“To achieve something, you need to practice,” said Benito Floro of Canada’s preparations for September. “We need to continue to increase our level, so in the next match we will continue to do the same to prepare for Honduras.”

The two June matches are Canada’s last international tests before the September series in San Pedro Sula and Vancouver. With Mexico already through to the next round, only Canada, El Salvador or Honduras will surive the September series to advance to the “Hex.”

SUPPORT #CANADARED, BE CANADA’S 12th MAN
After the away match against Honduras on 2 September, Canada will come home to face El Salvador in a critical match on 6 September at BC Place in Vancouver. To help build a sea of #CanadaRED supporters, tickets to the match start as low as $25 (plus applicable fees). In addition, a special ‘Me+3’ offer will be available for this match. When purchasing three full price tickets in select sections, fans will receive the fourth one free. This offer is available via Ticketmaster.ca by selecting the ‘Me+3’ offer.

Group discounts will be offered, with groups of 10 or more eligible to receive discounts of up to 30% off regularly priced sections. To request group tickets, complete the group order form indicating the price point and quantity of tickets you are wishing to purchase. Please note that group tickets will be processed on a first come, first served basis. For complete information visit the group ticket section on CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets

BC Place Club Seats offer fans a premium match day experience featuring exclusive entrances, in-seat service, larger comfortable seats, exclusive club lounges with a full-service private bar and heightened food offerings, all from some of the best views in the venue. Fans purchasing club seats will receive a complimentary Canada Soccer scarf (a retail value of $30) upon arrival to their seats on match day.

Canadian Supporters have been allocated a number of dedicated sections in the southwest end of BC Place. Fans wishing to sit in the Canadian supporter sections are encouraged to visit the Voyageurs website for more information and to purchase tickets through thevoyageurs.org. Please note that persistent standing will be permitted in these sections.

Visiting supporters will be located in the northeast corner of BC Place. Fans wishing to sit in these sections should select “El Salvador supporters” from the drop-down menu on the Ticketmaster event page.

Complete ticket information can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.

ROAD TO THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is the biggest single-sport event in the world. From 209 member associations from around the world, 32 finalists will qualify for the 32-day event that is played in 11 cities from 14 June to 15 July 2018.

Canada are amongst the 11 remaining CONCACAF nations in the hunt for a spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. The remaining nations are split into three groups for the continent’s 2015-2016 semi-final stage. The top-two nations in each group will advance to the final round in 2017, from which three nations qualify for Russia 2018 and the fourth team advances to an intercontinental playoff.

In CONCACAF’s semi-final (Round 4), Canada will play six matches, with both a home and away encounter against Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. The stage concludes in September after Canada faces Honduras away and El Salvador at home.