HIGHLIGHTS: CanMNT vs. Bahrain (Pre-FIFA World Cup friendly, Nov. 11, 2022)

Canada's pre-FIFA World Cup preparations continued with a 2-2 draw against Bahrain on Friday, as goals from Ismael Kone and Lucas Cavallini helped power Les Rouges through this fitness-building challenge ahead of their first group stage match on Nov. 23 vs. Belgium.

CF Montreal's young star Kone got the match off to a bright start, bursting through the Bahrain backline and scoring with a cool finish early in the first half, but a Bahrain equalizer tucked home by Mahdi Al Humaidan sent the two teams into half-time locked at 1-1.

Canada then conceded a penalty just after the hour mark, with Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair getting fingertips on the effort, but Bahrain would take a 2-1 lead via Mahdi Al Humaidan.

But, Canada wasn't going to roll over, going on to control the tempo of the attack before Zachary Brault-Guillard's well-placed cross bounced off Cavallini, then a Bahrain defender's knee, before sailing into the back of the net for the 2-2 equalizer.

For manager John Herdman, this result isn't nearly as important as the opportunity for his players to gain critical minutes ahead of the tournament. Canada now has one final test before the World Cup begins, taking on Japan on Nov. 17 (available here on OneSoccer).