By Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com
www.canadasoccer.com
The beauty of the Olympic qualifiers is that you don't have to stew for too long on your last performance. There's another game just 2 days after. Canada is lucky to be heading into the final group game still with a chance at qualifying for the semi-final stage.

After the encouraging start against Mexico, a combination of fatigue, a missed PK call, Lombardo choking and some dirty tricks from the Haitans saw Canada fall to the bottom of their group with a single game left.

This fact remains; if Canada can beat group winners Guatemala, and the Mexicans can finally win a game against the upstart Haitians, then it will come down to goal difference. Which ever team scores the biggest win will go through.

On the surface of it, Canada would appear to have the tougher game. Guatemala are 2-0, guaranteed top spot in their group and the Mexicans are clearly superior than the Haitian minnows. However, look a little closer at the mechanics of the group and Canada has an edge.

With Guatemala not only assured of qualification, but guaranteed 1st place there is no reason to believe they will not ring in the changes for this final 'meaningless' group game. This could be the lifeline that the Canucks need. Hacing played 2 games in 4 days, their opponents should take this as an opportunity to rest the regulars and give the reserve guys a run out. The benefit being two fold - no risk of suspensions, injuries, to alieviate fatigue and to sharpen the match fitness of the back up players. All that said, it should not be theur best players and thus Canada may be facing a B or even C team.

Canada's players and coaching staff should know this. Canada's players are tired - several have logged big minutes in the first two games and looked to have lead feet in the last quarter of yesterday's game. Dasovic should have no choice but to field his strongest team, an offense-first team, in the hope that they can put up a two or three goal lead before the legs go. At that point he could bring in the subs - defensive types - to try and lock out the game. It's all or bust at this point.

So, what line up should Dasovic go with? Will he go to a 4-4-2? Please feel free to post your suggestions in the comments field below.

Here's a couple of options:

GK: Up for grabs - does anyone know if Begovic is still in camp?

4-5-1:

--------------------GK---------------------------
Legerwood---Hainault---Jakovic---Lensky (or Ramalho)
------------Gyaki---------Hemming------------
Rosenlund----Johnson-------Ricketts/Hall (or Lensky if Ramahlo is DL)
------------------Ornoch------------------------

4-4-2

--------------------GK---------------------------
Legerwood---Hainault---Jakovic---Lensky (or Ramalho)
------------Johnson-----Hemming------------
Rosenlund----------------------------------Hall (or Lensky if Ramahlo is DL)
---------Ricketts-------Ornoch-----------------