VANCOUVER — Much has changed for Ali Ahmed since he last practised on the billiard-table smooth grass of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ training compound at the University of B.C.
But the 25-year-old hasn’t seemed to change in nature. Still amiable and upbeat, he greeted a couple of local reporters by name Monday as he walked from the pitch into a media scrum after practising with Canada’s World Cup team.
Just like old times for Ahmed, who spent three seasons with the Whitecaps in Major League Soccer before his January transfer to Norwich City of the English Championship became a turning point for his new club.
Except these aren’t old times.
Ahmed came on as a substitute and made an impact as Canada rallied to salvage a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto. There is a case for the speedy winger to start Thursday’s critical match against Qatar here at B.C. Place Stadium.
“Yeah, this is my home,” he told my reporters. “This is why I'm here. B.C. Place, you know, I made my professional debut there. Obviously, representing your country in a place you're familiar with would mean a lot.”
How strange was it to be back at the Whitecaps’ compound after his transfer?
“Nah, I love it, man,” Ahmed said. “This is home for me. It hasn't been too long, honestly. Getting back in the building, sitting in the same change room that I used to sit in for three years, you know, I love this place. This place is why I'm here.”
After a relatively late start in professional soccer, the lean, fleet midfielder-forward from Toronto was sold to Norwich City in January for about $3 million. In his first three games in England’s second-highest league, Ahmed scored twice and set up two other goals as 'The Canaries' went 3-0 to begin a rapid climb from the relegation zone.
Norwich won nine of Ahmed’s first 11 games, and he could have run for mayor. Despite signing a contract with Norwich for the rest of this past season and the next three, there are already rumblings that he could be destined for bigger things.
“Yeah, I think a lot of us have, you know, our journeys to get here was not the traditional pathway... you see in these European players,” Ahmed said of his whirlwind. “I think opportunities over here in Canada (are), you know, it's a bit tougher than normal. So yeah, a lot of us have had to go through some obstacles to get here, but we're grateful for it all. We're all really grateful for it all.
“Yeah, (I am) 25, but only really three years in (as a professional) — three and a half years, I think now. I think every year as time goes by... definitely progressing and growing and hitting different milestones. For sure, I think it'd be fair to say that there's still more to come. I haven't really hit my peak, or really done anything, you know? There's a lot of room to grow.”
The same can be said about the Canadian team, which has been energized and elevated the last handful of years by the emergence of some of the most dynamic and skilled players our country has produced.
But after its tournament-opening draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada is still looking for its first World Cup win.
Qatar’s surprising 1-1 tie against heavily-favoured Switzerland on Saturday left the four teams in Group B even.
Missing star Alphonso Davies due to injury — another former Whitecap, Davies was on the field Monday but was the only player who did not train with the main group — and with several others like Ahmed recently back from injury, Canada’s best path out of the group stage would be a win on Thursday.
“We know our goals, we know what we want to do,” Ahmed, one of three players made available to the media, said. “I think we have some good momentum with our second half in the first game. I think our first half maybe, you know, came a little slower than we had hoped. But some good momentum. We're the home team, we know how we want to play, and we want to go for the win.
“To get that first game was much needed for me — just get my legs going, (shed) any rust I had, my endurance, just get it going. So, I think I feel good now.”
Ahmed hurt his hamstring in his final game of the English season in May.
He was among the players who helped shift momentum against Bosnia after replacing Tajon Buchanan in the 61st minute. Ahmed looked quick and proactive, getting in a couple of early crosses and finishing with more ball touches than Buchanan (27 to 26) despite playing half the time.
Forward substitutes Cyle Larin and Promise David linked up on Larin’s dramatic tying goal in the 78th minute, sparking fans at Toronto Stadium for one of the loudest roars in Canadian men's soccer history. Canadian coach Jesse Marsch, who did not speak to reporters on Monday, faces a handful of crucial lineup decisions on Thursday.
“I hope it'll be similar to Toronto — just all red,” Ahmed said of the atmosphere. “The stadium is closed, so it should be louder — 55,000, 54,000 (fans), so it should be good. I'm used to a good crowd over here in B.C. I know they love their soccer — or football. I think it'll be another really good atmosphere, and I know we really hope that we can give the fans what they deserve.”
“The group is open; we know that,” backup defender Niko Sigur said. “Everyone is on even points, even goal-differential. I think going into this Qatar game, a win does us very good and that’s what we’re looking to do. I don’t want to get too far ahead, but if we’re all even (in the standings), three points is a big help.”
