In a match to decide the second spot in Pool A, Trinidad & Tobago and Chile played on Day 3 of the Pan American Games Men’s Competition. From the start, both teams battled for possession and attacking opportunities. Chile earned the first few penalty corners of the match, but Trinidad & Tobago’s defense was effective at preventing Chile from scoring. Trinidad & Tobago had a good scoring opportunity when they had nearly the entire Chilean defense beat, but no one touched the ball from within the circle. Immediately after, Chile earned another penalty corner and Jan RICHTER’s goal put Chile ahead 1-0 in the 15^th minute. Behind the strong play of keeper Justin PASCAL, Trinidad & Tobago prevented Chile from capitalizing off their attacking opportunities. Late in the first half, Trinidad & Tobago had another good scoring opportunity following a green card to Chile’s Jamie ZARHI, but could not manage to do so. Thus, the score remained Chile 1, Trinidad & Tobago 0 at halftime.

Trinidad & Tobago tied the match early in the second half off a field goal by Atiba WHITTINGTON. Immediately after, Chile nearly retook the lead off a penalty corner shot, but the goal was called off. Both teams kept battling for possession. Chile took the 2-1 lead over Trinidad & Tobago off a beautifully lifted field goal by Sven RICHTER in the 51^st minute. In the 60^th minute, Trinidad & Tobago received its first penalty corner of the match, but the shot was blocked by Chile’s keeper ANWANDTER. Trinidad & Tobago had more possession in their attacking area late in the second half, but Chile’s defense held strong. In the 65^th minute, Chile’s Martin RODRIGUEZ made it a 3-1 Chile over Trinidad & Tobago score. And that remained the final score and secured Chile the second spot in Pool A and a spot in a Semifinal.

Match Quotes

Chile’s Coach Daniel GATH

On the match…

We did not have any bad cards like last match and I believe it was a fair game where both teams knew they had to win to go to the Semifinal. I believe we played a great game and executed what we had planned. We did not have any errors within our 25 (like last game) and only 1 penalty corner against. I think this was the difference. It does not matter who we play in the Semifinal it will be a great game. We have to commit fewer errors [to win].

Chile’s Martin RODRIGUEZ

On the match…

It was tied 1-1 and the most important was that we kept playing. We knew we had to keep calm and knew what we had to do. And we knew we had the confidence [to win] even after the missed penalty stroke.