One final match remains on the Canadian men’s national team’s schedule before they open the 2022 World Cup next Wednesday, Nov. 23, as they take on Japan in an international friendly on Thursday, Nov. 17 (8:40 a.m. EST, available on OneSoccer).

Japan, currently ranked 24th in the world, has qualified for the past seven FIFA World Cups, reaching the knockout stages three times, and will give Canada a strong test before the tournament. The match will also give Canada another chance to get acclimatized to playing in the region as they step onto the pitch of Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, UAE.

Here are three things to watch for as Canada tests itself against the Samurai Blue on Thursday.

Japan gives Canadian defence one final test against quality attacking side

The Canadian men’s national team has conceded more than one goal in a match just three times in their last 19 competitive games. Unfortunately, all three have come in their last four matches.

Last week’s 2-2 draw with Bahrain saw yet another inconsistent defensive effort, one where Canada made uncharacteristic mistakes and looked vulnerable on the counter-attack. They allowed four shots on target despite controlling the bulk of possession and gave up a 65th-minute penalty kick.

Some of this, perhaps, was down to an uneven playing surface that provided multiple bumps and bobbles, as well as having to make adjustments on the fly after centre-back Doneil Henry went down with injury during warmup.

But after also allowing a pair of goals against both Uruguay and Honduras earlier this year, it isn’t going to get any easier from here. Japan will provide yet another strong test for Canada’s backline, boasting dangerous offensive weapons like Takumi Minamino of Monaco (formerly of Liverpool), Junya Ito of Reims, Takefusa Kubo — who plays his club football for Real Sociedad –and Daichi Kamada of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Japan recently dominated the United States in a September friendly, not allowing a single shot on target and managing eight themselves during a 2-0 victory. This year has also seen them pick up lopsided victories over Paraguay (4-1) and World Cup-bound sides Ghana (4-1) and South Korea (3-0).

This is a side that will punish the Canadian backline for any mistakes they should make, which will be a good standard to test themselves against ahead of the World Cup group stage.

While, in classic John Herdman fashion, the coach would not tip his hand as to which World Cup group stage opponent he sees this match as good preparation for, though he mentioned that there are some similarities to at least one of those aforementioned sides.

“I think there are some similarities with styles of play with at least one of our opponents that we will play,” said Herdman in a press conference last month. “To a key group stage opponent.”

Canada last played Japan on March 22, 2013, in a 2-1 loss with their lone goal coming from former Cavalry FC and Pacific FC forward Marcus Haber. It was the only goal that Canada would score in 12 matches during that 2013 calendar year.

Can Eustáquio continue red-hot club form with the national team?

Coming into the 2022 World Cup, Stephen Eustáquio is playing the best football of his career. The 25-year-old midfielder has four goals and an assist in his last six matches in all competitions for Porto, including a pair of goals scored in the UEFA Champions League against Atlético Madrid and Club Brugge.

Especially against Belgium and Croatia sides whose greatest strength comes in their midfield, Eustáquio is perhaps going to be Canada’s most important player in Qatar. Japan boasts an incredibly solid midfield of their own.

The two likely defensive midfielders, Hidemasa Morita —  with whom Eustáquio will be familiar as he plays his club football at Sporting Lisbon — and Wataru Endo who plays for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. In front of them sits danger man Daichi Kamada, who has 12 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt this year including three in Champions League action.

Eustáquio and the Canada midfield will have the dueling challenges of trying to break down Morita and Endo — not to mention the experienced Japanese backline behind them — while also containing Kamada.

If Eustáquio can carry his incredible form with Porto into this match, and beyond, it could go a long way toward Canada catching a few teams by surprise in Qatar.

Big chance for domestic players to shake off rust against a quality opponent

The word “rusty” was perhaps the first one that came to mind when watching Canada against Bahrain last week. The usual intensity and quality that defined this team during their road to Qatar were missing, as they needed a late own goal to even get a draw out of the match.

With that being said, the match did offer a key opportunity for a few important Canadian players to gain match fitness. Going into the Bahrain match, MLS players and regular Canada starters Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio had all been out of action for over two weeks if not significantly longer.

Japan, however, will push that group even further, depending upon which of those players, and potential others, see the field. The tempo and quality will take a significant step upward, giving this group an all-important taste of what is to come next week.

With all the pre-World Cup injuries and match fitness concerns, the fact that Canada has multiple players in their lineup who will come into the tournament reasonably rested could be an advantage. It will only be one, however, if they can use a match like this to get back up to match speed and shake any lingering rust out of their respective games.