Canadian soccer fans flock to Riverside Park as World Cup fever takes over Kamloops

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“This is definitely my first watch party and I like it,” said Gia Filipic. “I think its lots of fun. You meet new people and you get to just to hang out and have fun.”

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“I think its really cool,” added Myu Silver. “I don’t think I’ve been to many watch parties here. I’ve been to Music in the Park and whatnot, but its really fun coming here with everyone.”

Canadian supporters far outnumbered Swiss fans who were few and far between at Riverside Park. Gregor Koller has called Canada home since 1993, and his loyalties were split.

“[I’m a] dual citizen, so the heart is still Swiss but [Canada has given] me a very good home for the last 30 some years,” Koller told CFJC Today. “There is no loser in this game because I will win anyway.”

The result didn’t go Canada’s way as Switzerland won 2-1 to finish top of Group B, giving them a Round of 32 game at BC Place Stadium on July 2. While Canada had to settle for second place, it’s still a historic result as they qualified for the knockout round of the men’s World Cup for the very first time.

“I think its been fantastic so far,” Rob Connolly said. “I think we can all be proud of the way they’ve played at this tournament.”

“We’re an improving soccer nation,” added Brian Hayes. “They’ve had a lot of exciting plays and they haven’t looked too weak defensively, so there’s not much more I could ask for at this point honestly.”

Team Canada will play its Round of 32 match in Los Angeles at 12:00 p.m. this Sunday (June 28) afternoon. They’ll face the second place team in Group A – either South Korea, Czechia or South Africa. These are all single-elimination matches, so its win and you move on but lose and you’re out.

“If we can make it as far as the quarterfinals, I’ll be be really happy with that, but I don’t fully expect it,” Hayes said.

“I think we’ll make the Round of 16 and who knows from there,” said Connolly.

“Round of 16 is probably Canada’s peak,” added Mehta. “That is when you run into the European giants and the South American giants and everything like that. That is when the true battle comes.”