Behind strong play of Keeper Garbuglia Argentina wins big over host Uruguay on Day 4 of 2014 Men’s Indoor Pan American Cup

In the first Men’s match on Day 4 of the 2014 Men’s Indoor Pan American Cup the United States and Canada played.  The United States earned the first penalty corner in the opening minutes, but Canada’s keeper Shankar Premakanthan blocked the direct short. Canada then earned a penalty corner, and Scott Sandison put in a high penalty corner shot to give Canada the early 1-0 lead. Canada kept up their attacking pressure and Canada’s Micah Teixeira scored to make it 2-0 over United States in the 7^th minute. Sandison scored again in the 17^th minute to increase Canada’s lead by three goals. The United States countered with a penalty corner, but again the shot was blocked by Premakanthan. The halftime score remained 3-0 in favor of Canada.

The second half also started with Canada dominating possession on attack. The United States played much stronger defense than the first half and the hard work paid off when the United States awarded the first penalty corner of the second half in the 28^th minute. Canada’s defense deflected the United States shot to prevent the United States from scoring. Canada then countered as Devohn Noronha Teixeira made it a 4-0 score in the 30^th minute. Canada continued to dominate possession in their attacking half, the United States continued to play strong defense. Thus, the final score ended Canada 4, United States nill.

In the second men’s match on Day 4, host Uruguay and Argentina played. The match started as a battle for possession and most of the play was in the midfield of the court. It was not until midway through the first half that the first penalty corners were awarded. In front of loud fans, Uruguay’s defense blocked a series of Argentina penalty corners to keep the match scoreless. Argentina kept up their attacking pressure and Alfredo Sosa managed a tough shot past the Uruguay defense in the 16^th minute. Argentina’s Santiago Denuncio then scored off a penalty corner in the 19^th minute to make it Argentina 2, Uruguay nill at halftime. After, Uruguay was awarded their first penalty corner of the match and the team was then awarded a penalty stroke. Argentina’s keeper Alejandro Garbuglia blocked the shot to prevent Uruguay from scoring in the 23^rd minute. Uruguay’s keeper Mariano Mallo came up with big saves in the second half to keep Argentina from scoring. Uruguay had another good chance to score off a penalty stroke in the 37^th minute, but again it was blocked by Garbuglia. In the final minutes, Uruguay was awarded a penalty stroke, but Argentina’s defense prevented the score. Mallo then blocked an Argentina penalty stroke in the last minute to keep the final score Argentina 2, Uruguay nill.

Please stay tuned to www.panamhockey.org for photos, post-match interviews and live updates throughout the tournament April 7^th-12^th 2014.