Trinidad & Tobago 8 v Barbados 2
Trinidad looked strong at the start and a burst of speed up the right side earned them the matches first penalty corner but they couldn’t convert. On the first Barbados corner Neil Franklin fired direct and hit the body of a defender. Franklin stepped up and converted the stroke for a 1-0 lead, the first for Barbados in the competition. This was short lived as James Marcus tied things up within a few minutes and Jordan Reynos put TTO in the lead. Barbados continued to look dangerous in attack but seemed to miss the final touch. TTO extended their lead with two quick Akim Toussaint goals leaving Barbados with reason to reflect at half time.
The second half continued the narrative. Barbados looking quite good at time but they were never able to sustain attack or match the poise of the Trinidad & Tobago players under pressure. TTO finish it out 8-2 and remain favourites to reach the finals.
Mexico 0 v Guyana 12
A public holiday for Diwali brought the local crowds out to cheer on at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. They would have plenty to celebrate as Guyana scored four goals - three by captain Robert France - before Mexico called a timeout. The break was short lived with Guyana adding two more to enter halftime with a comfortable lead.
With the result in hand Guyana played for the crowd in the second half and sounded the backboard another six times to run away with the match 12-0. France’s 8 goals put him in a dominant position at the top of the goalscoring table.
Argentina 5 v Canada 3
Setting the stage, Canada with a win would keep pace with Trinidad & Tobago at the top of the table, while Argentina needed a win to have a realistic chance at making the final. The teams last match was in the 2014 edition of this competition where Argentina edged Canada 3-1 in pool play.
Argentina started well with a penalty corner. The first strike and rebound both well saved by Pardeep Koonar in the Canadian goal. Juan Eleicegui tried again from the baseline and found the mesh and raised the Argentina fans to their feet.
Tactics started becoming a big part of this match with Canada dropping into the half court press and Argentina struggled to find an opening. Gonzalez showed great individual skill to maintain possession as Canada pressed forward.
Argentina’s Sosa was sent off on a back back tackle but Eleicegui was able to burst up the right side and sublimely lobbed the Canadian keeper to put Argentina up 2-0. The man advantage for Canada would not be wasted, a deep pass by Jewan Bath created a Penalty Corner that Micah Teixeira punched into the roof of the goal.
The second half started with an innocent ball into the Argentina circle resulting in a penalty corner. Jonathan Robert’s sliding drag flick sailed wide. On his next attempt he was denied by Francisco Demonte in the Argentinian goal. Canada optioned to Ken Pereira and after the initial save, the equalizing tally came from Gurtej Dhaliwal.
Momentum shifted quickly as Eleicegui once again scored from the baseline finding the mesh from the left side. Argentina earned another penalty corner with a Leandro Leotta burst through the middle and Alfredo Sosa found the top of the goal.
Canada pressed forward, a great steal by Lyle Fernandes provided an empty net for Dhaliwal and he made no mistake in finishing. In the final minutes Canada pulled their goalkeeper but they couldn’t find an advantage. Argentina added an empty net tally to bring the final scoreline to 5-3.
