"Former Leeds United coach Marsch said he wants his team to launch their World Cup campaign with a box office clash against the Azzurri due to the huge Italian population in Canada. But after clashing with Bellamy in September, when the Wales boss criticised Canada's celebrations after a 1-0 friendly win in Swansea and said "I hope I see you again at the World Cup," Marsch said he is ready to face the Welsh if they get through the playoffs."
""Look, Bellamy said he wanted to play us and Wales is in there," Marsch told reporters. "Bosnia is a really good team, Northern Ireland are in there -- it's a really competitive group and I think people will be expecting Italy to come out of it, but it's not going to be easy for Italy. "But I think that playing Italy would be outstanding."
"Our first game at home -- I know there would be a lot of Italian-Canadians at the match and they had better root for Canada, that's all I'm saying. "I live in Italy and I think Italy is a really good team. [Gennaro] Gattuso has come in and done a good job, made them very competitive in their last matches and that would be a big challenge for us and incredible moment for us in a home World Cup to have Canada against Italy."
Canada were drawn with Switzerland, Qatar and the winner of the UEFA playoff involving Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Jesse Marsch said he would welcome an opening match against Italy because of Canada's large Italian community and because he views Italy as a strong, challenging opponent under Gennaro Gattuso. Marsch acknowledged the playoff group is competitive with Bosnia and Northern Ireland also capable of advancing. He said he is ready to face Wales after a September spat with Wales coach Craig Bellamy, who had criticised Canada's celebrations following a friendly in Swansea. Marsch called for patience while awaiting the playoff outcome.
Read at ESPN.com
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