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National coach eyes Valente for key game
By Alfie Lau - Now Reporter
Freddy got fingered.
Perhaps this god-awful Tom Green movie played on the recent flight home from an Alberta road trip, but for new Vancouver Whitecaps captain Alfredo Valente, known as Freddy to teammates, it's welcome news that his stellar play is being noticed.
Canadian national team coach Frank Yallop pronounced him as a player he'll be looking hard at for Canada's Aug. 18 World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala.
"Valente has impressed me on the left side. He plays the wide, left-side midfield role and that's a position I'm looking at," Yallop explained. "I like what I've seen of him."
Valente expressed a little surprise when informed by the Burnaby Now of Yallop's comments, but took the news in stride.
"It's an honour and a privilege to be recognized. Obviously it's a goal to play for your country, but I'm still having fun playing the game here," Valente said. "I haven't really (thought) about it because it's way in the back of my head, but one chance, that's all you need."
Valente, who has not played for the senior Canadian team, has played for Canada at the u-20 and u-17 levels, as well as for the u-23 Olympic team.
At the least, Valente should get a look during one of Canada's friendlies in July against Millwall and Hearts of Midlothian, games Yallop said will feature A-League players from all six Canadian teams.
The other usual suspects for national team duty on the Whitecap roster include midfielders Martin Nash and Davide Xausa, striker Carlo Corazzin and young defender Kevin Harmse.
Yallop had kind words for Harmse, the u-20 star who has starred on the back line despite also being listed as a midfielder.
"Harmse has come through the system well and could potentially be a very good player for us," Yallop complimented.
But one 'Cap who probably has garnered his last cap is veteran defender Nick Dasovic.
Yallop lauded Dasovic as "another guy who can play," but admitted that because of Dasovic's age and the fact Canada has strong depth in central defenders, the wily veteran would probably be bypassed in favour of players like Harmse.
"I've got some younger legs to choose from," Yallop concluded.
Valente is another one of those players with young legs, but on his club team, Valente's new role as captain means that he has added leadership responsibilities.
While considering it an honour to be named captain, Valente was quick to say the Whitecaps have leaders everywhere.
"I'm learning a lot from the older, more experienced guys. There's a handful of guys who could have that (captain's band), but as a group of guys, we all know what we have to do."
Valente, who was reached just after watching on television his favoured Italian squad knocked out of Euro 2004, remained upbeat about both his club aspirations and his national team dreams.
"Ultimately, the last couple of weeks have been good for me personally, but the most important thing is I'm having fun."
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