Guatemala’s men National Team and Panama’s women renewed their leadership at the III Central American Indoor Tournament, they won, today, the competition for the third consecutive time, making it three out of three editions of the tournament organized by the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF).
A victory that both teams celebrated loud, especially because they had to do their best to beat strong rivals in the finals, Costa Rica, the runner-up in the men's tournament; and Guatemala in the women’s.
Monserrate Barquero was awarded Player of the Tournament elected by officials and coaches of the participant teams while Leonidas Leiva (Guatemala) was awarded Best Player of the men competition.
Panama’s men and Costa Rica women’s Teams won the bronze. Honduras, placed fourth in both competitions goes back home knowing they did a good job and that they are certainly starting to close the gap with their neighbors.
THE THREE TIMES CHAMPIONS PLAYED THEIR ROLE
Leaded by captain Kersthy Montenegro, Panama dominated in both halves, a strong defense prevented the Guatemalan getting to the attacking area. Panama took the control of the game early. And it was Montenegro who opened the score in minute 4. Ruby Diaz added one (minute 7) and Celina Portugal increased the lead in minute 17 and 31, for the final score in the Eugenio Luzcando Gymnasium.
The bronze Medal was for Costa Rica, who defeated Honduras 4-0, thru Monserrat Barquero (minute 12), Nohelia Mata (minute 20), Daniela Solano (minute 32) and Jennipher Barrantes (minute 33).
More about this tournament: http://www.panamhockey.org/en/competitions-56-2016-central-american-indoor-championship
GUATEMALA ADDS ONE MORE TITLE TO THE LIST
In the last match of the tournament, Guatemala and Costa Rica played an exciting game with goals on both sides. Guatemala went away with a 6-3, victory as they could capitalize from the very few mistakes of Costa Rica’s defense. Costa Rica had the lead three different times, but had to struggle with a more experienced team.
Leonidas Leiva (2) –scorer of the tournament–, Didier Monterroso, Jorge Ramírez and Agustín Depaz (2), scored for the champion.
The third place was for Panamá, after defeating Honduras 5-1, recovering from a tie 1-1 in the first period. Manuel Correa player # 9 was the player of the game; he scored four times. Jefferson Cerrud added one and Medardo Hernández scored for Honduras.
Th Central American Indoor Tournament came to an end with the evidence of the regional teams working hard in their development.
