The quarter-final matches kicked off with the number one seat from Pool A; Argentina, playing number four of Pool B; Guyana for the chance to move on to the semi-final round. The first half was played nearly exclusively in the Guyanese defensive end allowing Argentina to creatively construct six goals in the first half.
Guyana earned themselves a few penalty corners in the second half the match, but they were unable to find the back of the net. Argentina kept a steady flow of attack and matched their score line of the first half making for a 12-0 final score.
The Americans took on the Mexicans in the second game of the day. Mexico was first team to sustain possession and they scored a beautiful goal in the second minute when Daniel Rangel made a comfortable reception inside the circle, turned and rifled a shot into the bottom corner.
The USA reacted by putting the pressure on Mexico’s defenders to create multiple goal scoring opportunities. Mexico appeared unfazed when the Americans forced them to defend their half. Their composure carried over into their attacking play as David Terminel released a shot that was deflected into the net by teammate Irvin Chavez in the twenty-second minute.
USA, unwilling to let Mexico continue to pull ahead, worked their way back into Mexico’s circle. They were awarded a penalty corner, but it was the resulting long corner that they used to their advantage. George McGuigan received the ball inside the circle, popped it up and smashed the ball from thin air straight into the net. The half quickly ended leaving Mexico with a one goal lead at halftime.
Both teams seemed to stick to their game plan and played with unrelenting determination. Defensive proficiency on either end foiled any attempts on net until finally, the USA found their opening via penalty corner when a sweep hit was deflected high, once again, by George McGuigan.
The Americans rewarded themselves for equalizing the score by popping yet another goal into the opposition’s net with only three minutes to go. Mexico, devastated by their sudden disposition in a game they had worked so hard to claim, failed to create an effective attacking play and ended up sending the Americans through to the semi-finals by one point. Elated by their incredible come-back, team USA rushed the field after the final horn to celebrate their well-deserved victory.
A very tight match ensued between Canada and Trindad for the third game of the day with both teams being level in skill, speed and determination. Canada’s first goal resulted from Rohan Chopra picking up the ball in Trinidad’s corner, weaving around the sticks of the Trinidadian defenders and goalkeeper, then carrying the ball an extra yard for cautions’ sake before throwing it into the back of the net. With raised arms, Chopra flew birdlike into a pack of overjoyed Canadians to celebrate the upper hand they had obtained by taking the lead early in the match.
Trinidad did not allow this goal to disrupt their laser focus. Tariq Marcano managed to even up the score with a push on net that bounced past the Canadian keeper. The Canadians looked to their captain and drag flick expert; Brandon Pereria to regain their lead with a penalty corner just minutes before the first half came to a close. Pereira tucked the ball into the top corner of the net, pushing the score to 2-1 at halftime.
In the second half Trinidadian captain, Jordan Reynos, followed Pereira’s lead and netted another score-equalizing goal by flicking to the top corner of the Canadian net.
Determined to pull yet ahead; Canadian Thomson Harris completed a diving tip, sending the ball sailing into the backboard in the fifty-second minute.
In a last attempt to catch up, Trinidad put in a kicking back and managed to earned themselves a number of penalty corners in the final few minutes of the game. The pressure to convert appeared to be too much and they were unable to produce any goal from their opportunities. Canada earned their spot in the semi-finals with a 3-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
The last quarter-final game fell between Chile and Puetro Rico; first and fourth place in their pools respectively. Chile scored their first goal on lucky break when the umpire called a 16 yard hit for Puerto Rico, then reversed the call to a long corner for Chile. Chile was quick to take the hit but Puerto Rico had not yet recovered and they found themselves outnumbered by their opposition. Nils Stabucchi snuck past the defenders and redirected his teammates sweep hit into the net. Chile found the back of the net 3 more times before the halftime mark.
Puerto Rico made Chile work hard for their goals but it was Chile’s dominating speed that allowed them to break through defensive barriers and sink seven more goals before time ran out. The final score landed at 11-0 in favour of the Chileans.
The next round of matches will take place on Friday, May 27th. Guyana will play Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago will play Puerto Rico in the 5-8 crossover matches in the morning. Argentina will face team USA and the Canadians will take on Chile in the afternoon in hopes of landed themselves a spot in the gold medal game.
