CHAMPIONS ARGENTINA
SILVER MEDALLISTS CHILE
BRONZE MEDALLISTS UNITED STATES OF AMERICAArgentina maintained their stranglehold over hockey in the western hemisphere on Sunday night with a 3-0 win over Chile in the 2009 Junior Pan American Hockey final at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua.
The Pan-American qualifiers for the 2009 Junior World Cup, which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host are Argentina, Chile and USA.
As officials signalled the end of the contest, Argentine players whipped off their tops and waved them overhead and danced on the turf before setting off on a lap of honour. They capped their celebrations with a slide on their chests-not a trick for the fainthearted on Astroturf. And yet, despite their exuberance, they have only ever known success at this level. There have been nine Pan American under-21 tournaments and Argentina won every one. Their obsession with winning, matched with their technique and ball movement, should not be quickly forgotten by the host nation, whose own representatives finished seventh.
Chile were second in the past two successive tournaments and looked worthy contenders but they struggled to match the fluidity of their South American neighbours and, by the second half, were clinging on grimly.
Chile restricted Argentina's penalty corner opportunities and then swarmed specialist Leandro Tolini when he did get a chance from the set piece. But they could not stem Argentina's flow from open play as Augustin Mazzilli scored in either half and Santiago Montelli chipped in one, four minutes before the interval.
Earlier, the United States won their first medal in the history of the competition as they shocked Canada 6-5 on penalty strokes after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The US, who beat Trinidad and Tobago to a semi-final spot, will now advance to the Singapore 2009 Junior World Cup alongside Argentina and Chile.
Canada scored first through a Taylor Self penalty corner in the 14th minute but the US replied, four minutes later, with a Will Holt penalty corner. Holt put US ahead, four minutes from time, only for Sebastien Scheurer to equalise within seconds to send the game into extra time. In the end, it was the "Yankees" who held their nerve from the penalty spot.
In the showcase fixture, Chile had the first opportunity as Argentine goalkeeper Federico Bermejillo produced a brilliant save to deny Martin Rodriguez. But the Chilean defence became increasingly stretched by their opponents' movement and Mazzilli eventually broke clear to finish after a return pass from Alan Andino in the 29th minute.
It was 2-0, two minutes later, as playmaker Montelli ventured forward to finish after a quickly taken free hit from Nahuel Salis.
Argentina were winning penalty corners by then but Tolini, who was adjudged the tournament's best player and top scorer with 14 goals, could not find a way past Chile custodian Alfredo Mella who was well protected by his ball attackers. But Mazzilli gave the defending champions further insurance after another forward charge.
It was the prelude to a party.
Earlier on the USA clinched the crucial World Cup spot, with a hard fought 4-3 penalty-strokes win over Canada after both teams battled to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation (70 minutes) and extra-time (15 minutes).
Results:
Final: ARGENTINA 3 (Alejandro Mazzilli 29th, 66th, Alan Gabriel Andino 66th) vs CHILE 0.
Third Placed: CANADA 2 (Taylor Self 14th, Derrick Norton 67th) vs USA 2 (Will Holt 18th, 66th field goal). USA won 4-3 on penalties.
Final placings: 1. Argentina; 2. Chile; 3. USA; 4. Canada; 5. Mexico; 6. Barbados; 7. T&T; 8. Puerto Rico; 9. Brazil; 10. Jamaica; 11. Guyana.
Awards:
Player of the Tournament: Leandro Tolini (Argentina)
Most Goals: Leandro Tolini (Argentina) 17 goals -16 penalty corners)
Best Goalkeeper: Kevin Segeren (USA)
Fairplay Trophy: Guyana
