Mexico recovered from a 0-2 deficit to edge Brazil (3-2) with a late penalty-corner and a hat-trick from Francisco Aguilar; Chile overcame their disappointment of missing the semi-finals and had no problem pushing aside Uruguay (14-0). Brazil and Uruguay will play for 7th-8th.

Match 14 – Cross-over 5-8 - Chile vs. Uruguay: 14-0 (half-time: 0-5)

Chile were bitterly disappointed to be relegated to the second-tier cross-overs after their promising start in this competition against Canada (2-2) and it took them a while to inject some tempo in this match. All the action was nevertheless around the Uruguayan circle, and Martin Rodriguez was first on the score sheet for Chile in the 6th minute following a penetration on the left of the circle and a shot in a narrow angle.

Uruguay had trouble seriously challenging Chile, and Vicente Martin, then Jaime Zarhi added penalty-corners before the 20th minute mark, putting the outcome of the game out of doubt early. Chile added two more goals before half-time without exerting themselves too much, reaching the break with an unassailable 5-0 lead.

Uruguay had a few sporadic reactions in second period, even forcing Chilean goal-keeper Alfredo Mella to go and meet an attacker one-on-one at the top of the circle, but they could not prevent Chile from scoring 9 more goals to finish on the commanding score of 14-0.

With the win, Chile will play against Mexico for 5th-6th place, while Uruguay will face Brazil to avoid the wooden spoon.

For more information and pictures of CHI vs. URU, click here.


Match 13 – Cross-over 5-8 - Mexico vs. Brazil: 3-2 (half-time: 0-2)

First match of the day was an entertaining affair, with both teams in an attacking mood in the beautiful sunny summer morning. The young Mexicans seemed slightly tired from their hard fought battle the day before against the USA and did not show their usual speed in the opening stages of the game, and Brazil were first on the scoreboard in the 20th minute by Matheus Borges on the follow-up of a penalty-corner initially stopped by Gerardo Orozco in the Mexican goal.

Matheus Borges added a second penalty-corner in the 28th minute. Mexico had a late surge but Brazil were comfortably in the driving seat going into the break (2-0).

After a strong half-time talk, Mexico started second period much faster and Francisco Aguilar brought them back within one goal in the 48th minute on penalty-corner. Their momentum was however slowed down by two, then three, yellow cards, certainly not something that you want when the players remaining on the pitch already have tired legs… Brazil took advantage of their numerical superiority to regain control of play, but they were denied multiple time by Gerardo Orozco in the Mexican goal, giving the chance to Francisco Aguilar to tie the score with five minutes to go in the match, setting up the stage for a wild end of match.

Brazil had a chance on penalty-corner, but Francisco Aguilar scored a late penalty-corner (his 3rd of the match) to complete the Mexican come-back, pushing them in the match for 5th place on Saturday. Brazil were dejected to have dropped a 2-goal lead and miss their pre-tournament objective to finish in the top six in this competition.

For more information and pictures of MEX vs. BRA, click here.