'Amazing achievement': Former Team Canada player from N.S. reacts to World Cup berth

AsAnte Jaziwatched Canada's men's national soccer team beat Jamaica 4-0 Sunday to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, several things went through his head.

Originally from Bedford, N.S., the 46-year-old Jaziplayed professionally for almost two decades in Europe and North America, and suited up for the national team for more than a decade.

Two of the players on the current national teamMilan Borjan and Atiba Hutchinson played alongsideJaziin an era when the national team wasn't as successful.

"They've experienced both ends of it and just thinking that, 'Wow, what an amazing achievement and kind of just wishing that I had that moment myself in my career,'" said Jazi.

"But the fact that Canada qualified with this group and with all the development that's happened, I'm just really proud that it's finally come to fruition."

Jazi's tenure with the national team ended in2013.He said he played 36 games with the national team, and cherishes the experience.

"There's no greater honour for a soccer player to represent your country," he said. "It's something truly special. Before you play that match with the national anthem going, it's just a very proud moment and I think it's a dream of any young player."

He was a veteran in his later days with the national squad. He was there to bring stability and leadership to the team, helping plant the seeds for the team's current success.

"It's been a joy to watch," saidJazi."It's great to see Canada actually thriving and being an actual power in CONCACAF, where, you know, all the other teams are not looking forward to a game against Team Canada."

Jazi saidmuch of Team Canada's success today has its roots in actions taken by the Canadian Soccer Association a decade ago, collaborating with football clubs and Major League Soccer (MLS) academies to nurture the next generation of Canadian soccer talent.

He said Canada sitting atop the CONCACAF standings "is just the icing on the cake from all the hard work from people behind the scenes."

Jazi'scareer took him around the world. He played his youth soccer in Nova Scotia and played one season for Dalhousie University, where the team won the national championship.

After that season, in thesummer of 1996,he went on a trip to Croatia to see family of his.Jazi'suncle set up a successful tryout with the professional team in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

Beginning in 1996, Jazi played professionally in Croatia, Austria and Russiafor 11 years. He then spent seven years playing for North America teams inLos Angeles and Carson, Calif., before retiring in 2013.

"I have a little bit of a nomadic lifestyle," Jazi joked.

These days, Jazi lives in Arkansas with his wife and helps run a soccer academy for the Little Rock Rangers.