Trinidad posted a solid victory against Brazil (5-2)
and show that they will be serious contenders for a semi-final berth in
Pool A. Canada dropped a 2-goal lead and were held to a 2-2 draw by
Chile.
Match 8 - Chile vs. Canada: 2-2 (half-time: 0-2)
Last match of the day promised to be exciting, between
Canada, ranked 2nd in the competition, and Chile, ranked just behind
them in 3rd.
Canada were not too impressive against Brazil on opening
day, while Chile were idle because of the delay to the Trinidad &
Tobago team.
First opportunity was for Canada on a penalty-corner, but Scott
Tupper’s powerful flick was coolly saved by Adrian Henriquez in the
Chilean goal. Dave Carter was also called into action in the Canadian goal, with a good reflex save on a deflection from close range. Canada earned another penalty-corner after an effective run on the left wing by Ben Martin, but the Chilean keeper was again on the ball with a clean glove save.
Canada were finally rewarded for their hard work in the
21st minute, when Matthew Guest scored from close range, his 2nd goal
of the competition, proving that he has well recovered from his nasty
injury sustained during the World League in Paris.
Canada increased
their lead on a similar play a few minutes later by Matthew Sarmento, to
establish a more comfortable 2-goal cushion.
Canada had a series of penalty-corners in the final minute of the
period, but the Chilean defense read well Scott Tupper’s variations and
the score stayed at 2-0 in favor of Canada going into the break.
Second period started with a lengthy stoppage of play
after a hard head-on collision between two players, and it took a while
for the two teams to find back their tempo. Canada were quicker into the
saddle, with a chance for Dave Jameson after good work by Mark Pearson
on the right of the circle, but the shot was too soft to worry the
keeper.
Chile had a chance at the other end when a bouncing ball eluded
two Canadian defenders and reached a Chilean forward alone in the
circle, forcing Dave Carter to stand tall to thwart the shot from very
close range.
Canada continued their misfortunes on penalty-corner and could not
increase their lead. With 20 minutes left in the game, Chile started to
press higher. They took advantage of a 2-men advantage after cards were
handed to Canadians and scored by Sven Richter, then immediately after
by Jose Zirpel on penalty-stroke, to come back level 2-2 with 14 minutes
left in the game, setting up a torrid end of game!
Richard Hildreth had a superb opportunity when he was
set-up alone in the circle by Iain Smythe, but he hesitated to take his
chance and the defenders had time to close on him. Canada were all over
the Chilean circle in the final 5 minutes of play, and even had another
chance on penalty-corner, but the Chilean defense was well regrouped to
protect their goal and were soon celebrating their good start in the
competition.
Canada on the other hand were dejected to have dropped their 2-goal
lead and can certainly regret their numerous fruitless penalty-corners.Match 7 - Brazil vs. Trinidad & Tobago: 2-5 (half-time: 0-2)
Trinidad & Tobago, having finally arrived in
Brampton, were obviously eager to get into action and rushed forward
from the opening whistle.
They scored their first goal in the third
minute by their captain, Dwain Quan Chan, from a scramble in front of
Hubertus Reinbach in the Brazilian goal.
Brazil promptly settled their nerves and play became more balanced,
flowing back and forth in an entertaining way. The South Americans were
playing a dynamic style of attacking hockey, but Trinidad were defending
cleverly to cut the options for passes and Andrey Rocke was seldom in
danger in the Trinidadian goal.
Veteran Kwan Browne (288 Caps) showed that he still had
plenty of speed, running away from the Brazilian defense only to see
his shot deflected by the keeper. He was on target a few minutes later
on a penalty-corner, slotting a powerful ball perfectly in the corner of
the goal, completely out of reach of the keeper.
Half-time was reached with the 2-goal lead for Trinidad & Tobago,
well in control of play. They had two penalty-corners early in the
period but, with Kwan Browne on the bench for both, could not do much of
them. Brazil were more efficient at the other end and Bruno Paes scored a one-handed goal after collecting a long ball behind the defense, closing the gap to one goal with plenty of time in the period.
Trinidad & Tobago however re-established their
2-goal lead promptly by Wayne Legerton on a low penalty-corner flick
that eluded the keeper despite a spectacular dive. Kiel Murray added a
goal for Trinidad & Tobago after an outstanding solitary run through
the Brazilian central defense and a little chip over the sliding
keeper.
With Brazil slowly feeling the effect of a second game in so many
days, Trinidad controlled the end of match to post a solid victory and
show that they will be serious contenders for a semi-final berth in Pool
A.15h00: USA vs. Uruguay
17h00 : Chile vs. Trinidad & Tobago
