Uruguay vs. Barbados

A cloudy morning with a nice refreshing breeze created a much more comfortable environment for hockey. Both teams came off of difficult opening match losses. Uruguay, ranked 23 places above Barbados, clear favourites to win.

Uruguay came out the stronger of the teams pushing Barbados right into their 25-yard area. Barbados struggled early to maintain possession, but were compact in defence and did not give up any clear goal scoring opportunities. Uruguay continued to press high, with only CB Diaz near the halfline. Barbados slowly gained in confidence, spreading the field and attempting to pass the ball out of the press. Uruguay continued to dominate possession and looked more likely to open the scoring. In the 7th minute Barbados worked the ball down their right wing to Krysten Mayers who made a strong solo run to slot the ball past Sanchez in the Uruguay goal for a shock 1-0 lead. Uruguay responded well and immediately went back on the attack, but again Barbados showed good discipline in defending their circle. In the 14th minute though a long ball into the circle rebounded off of the post to Tatton who made no mistake with the reverse stick shot to equalise for Uruguay. Two minutes later Chewitt from Barbados played a dangerous ball into the Uruguay circle eventually earning a PC. Barbados then worked a lovely option play forcing a save from Sanchez. Wilson was first to the rebound slapping it in to the goal for Barbados to lead again 2-1. Uruguay were again forced to play from behind, but met a Barbados team growing more confident as the half progressed. The Uruguay pressure forced a series of PCs that were well defended by Barbados. In the 29th minute Uruguay’s 4th PC was flicked by Petrik Vidal and the rebound off of GK Alleyne was volleyed in by Vega. Uruguay continued to press, but could not breach a Barbados defense well organised by captain Edwards. With the halftime score 2-2 Barbados would be thinking that they could force an upset.

Uruguay started the second half as they did the first pushing Barbados right back into their 25-yard area. Uruguay were less forgiving forcing an early PC, which was well defended again by the Barbados defense. Uruguay would not be denied and in the 40th minute Amadeo pushed the ball past Alleyne for their first lead of the game. Two minutes later a Petrik Vidal flick was deflected in by Algorta to extend their lead. Barbados continued to fight, but they started to wilt under Uruguay’s pressure game and gaps started to open up. Curci, Castro and Algorta found themselves with more space to play and they attacked relentlessly. Their persistence paid off earning them a PC in the 53rd minute, which was firmly flicked to the GK’s left by Algorta for a 5-2 lead. With Barbados captain Edwards serving a 5-minute suspension Uruguay took advantage to work the ball nicely into the circle for a Curci tap in on the last post in the 55th minutes. Uruguay focused their attacks down their left wing, and with Barbados fading, took advantage of tired legs to earn a series of PCs. In the 64th minute Algorta scored one of them to extend the lead to 7-2. Domingo showed her versatility to score her team’s next PC with a low flick to the GK’s right. Diaz completed the scoring in the 68th minute with a well taken shot. Barbados made one final push to score, but the final horn sounded to end a comprehensive, if hard earned Uruguay win.