Argentina out-powered Trinidad & Tobago in the
second half of their semi-final to finish with a comfortable win (8-0);
Canada had to fight to the very end to keep a narrow one-goal lead over
the USA. The two continental arch-rivals Argentina and Canada will meet
in the Final of the Pan American Cup on Saturday.
Match 16 – Semi-final - Canada vs. USA: 1-0 (half-time: 1-0)
This match between Canada and the USA was a rematch of
the Final of the 2009 Pan American Cup in Chile, when the Canadians
narrowly edged the American 2-1 after overtime.
The Americans started at full speed, challenging Dave Carter in the
Canadian goal twice in the opening minute of play and forcing a
penalty-corner, but the Canadian goal-keeper was on the ball with a
diving stick save. USA kept their momentum going for the opening 7
minutes, then Mark Pearson forced a penalty-corner for Canada, but Scott
Tupper’s low flick was well guarded by Sean Harris on the post.
The tone of the match was clearly given, with fast
attacking hockey from both teams. Canada opened the scoring in the 10th
minute by rooky Sukhpal Panesar, receiving a cross from the left,
pivoting away from his guard and hammering a bullet out of reach of
Chris Rea in the USA goal.
The high tempo of play continued relentlessly, much to the
entertainment of the crowd. There was not much build-up in midfield, and
balls were travelling quickly to high attackers at both ends of the
pitch, with neither team managing to take control of the proceedings.
Matthew Guest had a strong attempt after powering his
way into the circle, then Iain Smythe, then Scott Tupper on
penalty-corner but the Americans weathered the storm and suddenly surged
forward in the final minutes of the period, besieging the Canadian
circle and earning two penalty-corners in the final minute of play.
Scott Tupper managed a fantastic high stick save on Pat Harris’ flick
and the break was reached with the one-goal lead for Canada, but the
clear feeling that the match could go either way.
Second period started with the same scenario of both teams going
wildly at each other without holding back anything. Play was
entertaining for the spectators, but messy at times with unforced errors
and passes going astray on both sides. With time passing and neither
team able to make a meaningful move on the scoreboard, emotions started
to boil up, both on the pitch, in the stands and on the team benches.
The USA forced a penalty-corner in the 50th minute but
could not capitalize, then were hindered by a yellow card. Clock was
slowly ticking down, although probably too slowly for the nervous home
fans realizing that a one-goal lead could evaporate quickly in this kind
of match. Canada however was not trying to protect their lead and kept
pushing for the break. It never came but a yellow card to Dave Jameson
allowed a late surge from the Americans who had replaced their
goalkeeper with an extra attacker. Under intense pressure and despite
their tiring legs, the Canadians managed to hold the fort until the end.
Canada will play against their arch-rivals Argentina in the Final on
Sunday; the USA will play for Bronze against Trinidad & Tobago.
Match 15 – Semi-final - Argentina vs. Trinidad & Tobago: 8-0 (half-time: 2-0)
First semi-final of 2013 Pan American Cup was played under bright
summer sun in Brampton, with Trinidad & Tobago starting cautiously
to avoid exposing their circle to the powerful Argentinean armada (with 4
of their strikers in the top 5 goal scorers of the tournament!). First
chance was however for Trinidad & Tobago on a penalty-corner earned
by Mickell Pierre, but Kwan Browne’s powerful attempt was well handled
by Juan Vivaldi, facing his first serious challenge in this competition.
Both teams did not bother much about patient built-up
in midfield and the ball was flowing quickly from one end to the other,
with frequent long aerial balls. Argentina were denied on their first
two penalty-corners by Andrey Rocke in the Trinidadian goal, and seemed
to struggle at time to find their rhythm in front of skillful opponents,
well organized in defense around Kwan Browne.
Argentina were denied again on penalty-corner by Andrey Rocke, and
Trinidad & Tobago had a golden chance on their swift counter-attack
but Christopher Scipio’s diving deflection in front of the Argentinean
keeper went just wide. Argentina were finally successful on their fifth
penalty-corner in the 29th minute, powered out of reach of the
goal-keeper by Gonzalo Peillat. Peillat immediately doubled his tally on
another penalty-corner, and Argentina were suddenly seating on a
two-goal lead going into the half-time break.
Argentina scored early in second period after a lengthy
sequence of pin-ball in front of Andrey Rocke, finally tapped in by
Argentinean captain Lucas Rey. Then Lucas Vila inherited a ball alone on
the penalty-stroke point and made no mistake to add another goal. With
the gap widening, Trinidad & Tobago seemed to realize that they
would not come back and their tempo declined a notch. They had a chance
on penalty-corner but Kwan Browne’s low attempt did not have the same
intensity as earlier in the match.
With the Trinidadian defense starting to fade under the pressure,
Argentina ran away with the score, adding 6 goals to finish on the
impressive mark of 8-0. They missed the final of the 2009 Pan American
Cup after losing in semi-final against Canada, but will walk into
Saturday’s final in Brampton without having been challenged much, except
by Trinidad & Tobago in the first half of this semi-final.Schedule for Saturday August 17:
9h00 (7-8): Brazil vs. Uruguay
11h30 (5-6): Mexico vs. Chile
16h30 (3-4): Trinidad & Tobago vs. USA
19h00 (Final): Argentina vs. Canada
