Canada came away with a 2-0 victory over Brazil on Day 2 of the Pan American Cup but it took over two quarters for them to get one by Brazilian keeper Rodrigo Faustino. Floris van Son and Keegan Pereira each got on the board for the Canadians. The last time these two matched up Brazil lost to Canada in a shootout after a scoreless draw in the semifinal of the 2015 Pan American Games.

The opening quarter was a fast-paced and physical match up. Neither team gave up much in terms of circle entries, let alone shots and while Canada maintained most of the possession the ball spent most of its time being traded in midfield. A scoreless opening frame was well indicative of the conservative attack of both sides. Canada’s offence started to squeeze Brazil back into their half but Yuri van der Heijden and Lucas Paixao did well to limit the circle entries. In the 22^nd minute Balraj Panesar slid a pass past Brazil keeper Rodrigo Faustino but a sliding Harbir Sidhu was unable to connect.

Patience paid dividends as Keegan Pereira’s skill clinic in the Brazilian circle gave Canada their opening penalty corner chance in the 25^th minute but Gordie Johnston’s flick was deflected wide. Minutes later Johnston squeezed a pass through to Floris van Son and at a sharp angle his back-hand shot was steered away calmly by the outstretched glove of Brazil keeper Faustino. A lack of attack seemed to bother Brazil very little as their experience in defence proved valuable to keep the game scoreless entering half time.

Brenden Bissett has Canada’s best chances to break the deadlock. Faustino looked superb, first saving Bissett’s deflection then denying the close-range rebound all in the 35^th minute. Just three minutes later the Canadians earned their second penalty corner of the game. Faustino made two-consecutive saves off the top of the battery but van Son was finally there to put in the rebound for a 1-0 Canada lead.

To open the fourth quarter Joaquin Lopez earned Brazil’s first penalty corner but Canadian defender Johnston calmly made the save at the post on a Matheus Borges low flick. In the 51^st minute Pereira’s 3D skills on the left baseline freed him up and his intended pass across was deflected in by the Brazilian defence for a 2-0 Canadian lead. Faustino was called to action a few more times before the final whistle as Canada nabs another three points in Pool B with a 2-0 win.