26 goals were scored on opening day of the World League R2 in San Diego, with Russia scoring six to Trinidad & Tobago, Canada beating the USA 5-2, Ireland overpowering Chile 8-0 and Austria taking the best of Italia 3-1.

Russia vs. Trinidad & Tobago: 6-1 (ht: 4-0)

First match of the World League Round 2 in San Diego started under menacing clouds but without the forecasted rain. Russia quickly forced the first chance of the match by Igor Siniagin, surprising the Trinidadian defense to arrive alone in front of the goal-keeper, but Andrey Rocke stood tall and thwarted the attempt. Trinidad & Tobago defended well two penalty-corners, but Russia maintained their pressure and finally logically scored in the 10th minute by Anton Kornilov.

Russia had a complete grasp on the match and scored two more goals by Igor Siniagin before the end of the first quarter. Trinidad & Tobago could not find a way out of their end and Russia scored a fourth goal by Sergey Spichkovskiy on the follow-up of a penalty-corner, walking into the half-time break with a comfortable 4-goal cushion.

The Russians kept pushing relentlessly and things started to look very bleak for Trinidad & Tobago when Nikolay Yankun scored a superb penalty-corner immediately after the break. The Trinidadians had to play short on a yellow card, but still managed to create their first serious scoring chance on a penalty-corner, deflected in corner by a Russian defender.

Trinidad & Tobago became more entrepreneurial in third period, managing to penetrate the compact Russian midfield and defense. They were rewarded by a penalty-corner, followed by a stroke, and Tariq Marcano did not miss the chance to open the Trinidadian tally.

Russia made the most of their chances and scored one more goal before the end of third quarter. Play was more balanced in the last quarter, but Russia cruised steadily to a large win 6-1 over the Caribbean team.  

Canada vs. USA: 5-2 (ht: 2-1)

After the official opening of the new turf by FIH President Leandro Negre, the two teams were quickly in action. Pat Harris, celebrating his 100th International Cap, surprised the Canadian defense to set up a dangerous situation in the Canadian circle, but the ball was cleared. The Canadians had most of the possession, however the Americans were vigilant in defense and Christopher Rea in the US goal was not in real danger.

USA scored on their first opportunity, a penalty-corner powered in goal by Aki Kaeppeler in the 9th minute. The Canadians increased their pressure and Brenden Bissett finally tied the score from a busy situation in front of the US goal-keeper with a handful of seconds left on the clock in first quarter.

Play was animated between two teams knowing each other well. A decisive circle penetration by Gordon Johnston earned a penalty-corner and Scott Tupper propelled the ball high in goal to give the lead to Canada in the 17th minute. USA had a chance on the next action on a double penalty-corner, but the Canadian defense read well the combinations and managed to clear. Canadian goal-keeper Dave Carter was again called into action on another American penalty-corner late in the period but the Canadian manage to protect their one-goal lead going into half-time.

Canada came back after the break firing on all cylinders and scored two goals in less than one minute by Matthew Sarmento to establish a healthy 3-goal advantage. This surge seemed to take some wind from the American sails and the Canadians controlled play for a while. It was finally Pat Harris who restored some hope for his team, celebrating in style his 100th Cap with a spectacular reverse stick shot in a narrow angle that stunned Dave Carter.

Canada picked up a green card early in the last quarter, giving a chance to the American to be threatening, but the Canadian defense weathered the storm. Matt Guest forced a penalty-corner soon after at the other end and Scott Tupper, in fine form, rebuilt the 3-goal lead for Canada. Both teams received yellow cards and play became very animated in the final minutes, swinging quickly back and forth.

Canada maintained their lead and opened their World League campaign with a solid 5-2 win over an impressive American team.  

Ireland vs. Chile: 8-0 (ht: 5-0)

Third match of opening day started under a timid sun and Ireland immediately pressured the Chilean goal. First chance was for Michael Darling with a quick shot well saved by Adrian Henriquez in the Chilean goal. Darling was more successful a few minutes later when he received a ball in front of the empty net for an easy tap-in (5th minute). Chile reacted immediately and forced a penalty-corner but the low shot was deflected by David Harte in the Irish goal.

Play was entertaining, with Ireland having most of the possession. They were rewarded by a second goal in the 12th minute, Conor Harte slotting a well-executed penalty-corner. They used a different combination on their next penalty-corner, scored this time by Alan Sothern and promptly added a fourth goal by Bruce Mccandless. The Chileans were suddenly looking at a very steep uphill battle before even the end of the first quarter of play.

Play was more balanced in the second quarter. Chile had their chance on a series of penalty-corner but the Irish defense was vigilant to keep them at bay. Ireland seemed content to control play but still managed to add a fifth goal in the dying second of the period for what looked like an unsurmountable lead going into the half-time break.

Chile changed goal-keeper in second half to try and stop the hemorrhage, but Alfredo Mella could not prevent Stephen Dowds from adding another goal in the 35th minute. Chile kept trying hard, but they could not penetrate dangerously the dense and well organized Irish midfield and defense. They had a lone chance in third quarter on penalty-corner but Ireland were never seriously worried for their comfortable lead.

With the Chilean defense fading, Ireland added two more goals, first by Kirk Shimmins then by Michael Darling, completing a hat-trick in the 53rd minute. With a final score of 8-0, Ireland certainly impressed for their opening match and seriously staked their claim on the qualification for the next round of the World League.

Austria vs. Italy: 3-1 (ht: 3-0)

The last match of the day started fairly equal, with Italy not hesitating to take initiatives. They held the Austrians at bay during most of the first quarter, but could not prevent them from opening the score by Alexander Bele in the 14th minute. Italy had their lone scoring chance of the period on a penalty-corner, well deflected by Michael Mäntler, then Austria added two powerful penalty-corner goals by Michael Körper in the 19th minute and Dominic Uher in the 30th minute, building a solid lead at the halfway mark.

Italy were rewarded for their perseverance with a superb goal in the opening minute of second half, Giulio Ferrini mystifying the Austrian goal-keeper from close range after a cross from the left, triggering exuberant celebration in the Italian ranks.

Austria had the proceedings well under control but could not untangle themselves from the pressing of the feisty Italians, who kept their structure throughout the match. Francesco Padovani in the Italian goal made a couple of superb saves on penalty-corners, Austria played short on a yellow card for a while and committed some unforced errors, and the score did not evolve until the end, with a deserved but certainly narrower win than expected for Austria.

Schedule for Day 2 (Sunday March 1):
Russia vs. Canada
USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Chile vs. Italy
Austria vs. Ireland