EDMONTON – After captaining Italy to their fourth World Cup win in 2006, legendary defender Fabio Cannavaro knows better than most what it takes to go deep in a World Cup.And after managing Uzbekistan through harsh rain in a 2-0 friendly loss to Canada, Cannavaro is now seeing early signs of possible World Cup success for the co-host nation.“I saw very good things in the past three or four years,” Cannavaro said postgame of Canada’s men’s national team. “I saw very good talent (Canada) is now starting to have.”Canada’s win over Uzbekistan was just that: a start, nothing more. But with their World Cup now just days away, there are reasons to believe that Canada’s win is indeed the start of a successful World Cup.Uzbekistan was an ideal friendly opponent for Canada before the World Cup. The Asian side deserve respect for qualifying for their first World Cup, but they also aren’t rich with individual quality. They are the type of team Canada must separate themselves from to earn their first World Cup win and get out of the group stage.Uzbekistan was booked for this game because they show some of the qualities that Canada’s first two World Cup opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar, bring in their respective games. They readily employ a physical game, as does Bosnia and Herzegovina. And they’re comfortable sitting in a low block at times, as Qatar likely will too.Canada’s World Cup has never felt closer than it is now. Once Canada finally dry themselves off after a horrifically wet evening in Edmonton, they should feel positive about the direction they’re headed in.Because against Uzbekistan, Canada showed all the qualities they’ll need to win games this summer.Marsch can be satisfied with his team’s efforts on a damp evening in Edmonton (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)The eleven players head coach Jesse Marsch rolled out to start the game and play the first half certainly felt like the starting lineup he’ll utilize against Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided multiple players continue well in their injury recovery — more on that in a bit.And while getting out the game without any new injuries was important considering the punishing rain, what should be most important to Marsch was how strong his clear preferred starting lineup looked in possession. Remember, this is a Canada side that don’t often enjoy the lion’s share of the ball. Against Australia in an October friendly, Canada often looked out of ideas with the ball in the final third.Yet standout offensively-minded performances from Canada’s likely starters including Liam Millar, Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan, Ismael Kone and Alistair Johnston suggested two things: Canada’s XI to start against Uzbekistan will likely be close to their starting XI against Bosnia and Herzegovina. And those 11 players looked sharper and more fluid in possession than they have in the past.