Under sunny crisp blue skies, the first day of the Men’s Hockey Competition of the Pan American Games got underway. First was a Pool A match between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. In the opening minutes, the match was tied 1-1. Despite strong play by Trinidad and Tobago, Canada took a 4-1 lead late in the first half behind two goals from Iain SMYTHE. Trinidad and Tobago’s Kwandwane BROWNE tightened the score off a penalty corner right at the half. Canada, however, continued their offensive momentum in the second half and cruised to a 7-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago that also included two goals by Matthew GUEST.
The second match of the day was another Pool A match; this time between Chile and Barbados. Chile asserted itself early as the favorite to win the match between three penalty corner goals by Jan RICHTER that were part of Chile’s 4-0 lead at halftime. Barbados did not let up, however, and scored first in the second half. Captain Aaron FORDE’s field goal made the score 4-1, but that is the closest Barbados got within Chile. Another penalty corner goal by Jan RICTHER and two penalty stroke goals by Chile’s Captain Esteban KRAINZ were part of Chile’s five goal second-half goals that made up their 9-1 win over Barbados.
The third, and first Pool B, Men’s match of the Pan American Games featured home favorite Mexico against Argentina. Argentina’s Matias VILA scored in the 4th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. Behind very loud cheering fans Mexico battled for possession and while they had few attacking opportunities, prevented Argentina from scoring again until the later end of the first half. In the final minute of the first half, Ignacio Ricardo BERGNER sent in a penalty corner that gave Argentina a 3-0 lead at halftime. The second half began like the first ended and BERGNER scored two more penalty corner goals in the 48th and 51st minutes, respectively. Within seven minutes, three more goals followed. Mexico successfully kept Argentina from scoring again in the last ten minutes of the match, but could not manage to score for themselves. Thus, Argentina came away with the 8-0 win.
The final match of the day that was also in Pool B was between the United States and Cuba. Both teams came out fighting for possession and attacking opportunities. Late in the first half, Cuba’s Heriberto SARDUT GOMEZ converted a penalty stroke to break the scoreless match and give Cuba the 1-0 lead. With no time remaining in the first half, the United States was awarded a penalty corner that resulted in a second penalty corner. The United States’ Will HOLT scored off a drag flick to tie the match 1-1 at the half. Early in the second half, the United States looked to assert itself with the 2-1 lead over Cuba following another penalty corner goal by HOLT. Yet Cuba continued its attacking pressure and scored three unanswered goals within a span of seven minutes; taking a 4-2 lead over the United States in the 56th minute. Cuba’s defense held strong and denied the United States from scoring further. And took the 4-2 win over the United States.
The second day of the Men’s Hockey Competition of the 2011 Pan American Games will take place on Saturday October 22nd. Please continue to follow us on our website.
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