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A sunny day on the second day of hockey at the PWCC in Chile. Canada, Mexico, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Brazil played their first matches today in a day with many goals and celebrations.
Men – Canada vs. Mexico : 11-1
The day began with Canada vs. Mexico at 2:00 p.m. local time, and despite Mexico’s disadvantage on the bench, they managed to score their first goal of the tournament against the Canadians, with a tremendous goal after a penalty corner scored by Jorge Aguilar. The Mexican team focused on their attack during the last quarter, making - at times - Canada's defense suffer.
The first goal of the match was 11 minutes into the first quarter by Floris Van Son. Gordon Johnston (3), Fin Boothroyd, Keegan Pereira, Oliver Scholfield, James Kirkpatrick, Matthew Sarmento, Floris Van Son and Brendan Guraluik, also scored.
With 10 penalty corners in their favor and 30 shots on goal, the game ended in favor of the Canadian team 11-1.
It is important to highlight the great performance of the Mexican goalkeeper who had 11 great saves during the match.
Men: USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago : 4-3
Following Canada's 11-1 victory over Mexico, it was time for the United States to face Trinidad and Tobago .
Against all odds, it was an exciting match with great emotions and a very even result.
USA was the absolute favourite, but the Trinidad and Tobago players were not daunted by the statistics.
In the first quarter neither of the two teams managed to connect deep passes and despite almost not shooting on goal, the Americans were the first to take advantage. Kei Kaeppeler (#15) was the one in charge of opening the score . Two minutes later the United States almost scored again, but the goal was dismissed by Argentine umpire Gabriel Labate.
A minute before the end of time, Vieira Jordan (#7) tied the game for TTO after a spectacular team play.
In the second quarter Trinidad had control of the game, and some opportunities to score, but neither of the two teams could create a clear scoring situation. The clearest opportunity to score of this Quarter was for TTO after a failed attempt by an American defender to clear the ball, but the goalkeeper managed to contain the shot.
In the second half of the match both teams went out looking for the victory.
Close to the end of the third quarter, the United States took the lead again after a deflection by Heller Vincent (#24). But just as it happened in the first half, Trinidad managed to tie the game, with a penalty stroke, by Marcano Tariq (#11). The same player who sixty seconds later would assist his teammate Daniel Joel (# 3) and score the third goal for TTO.
With no time to play the North Americans took advantage of their first penalty corner and tied the game.
Both teams felt tired at the beginning of the last quarter, due to the great effort & high temperatures during the game. Trinidad held firm in defense until the ninth minute, when a penalty stroke was awarded to the United States. Kaeppeler sealed the game and scored the fourth goal for USA. One minute from the end of the game, the Trinidadians had a chance to equalize but they couldn't capitalize on their last penalty corner.
Men - Argentina vs. Brazil : 10-0
“Los Leones” started the Panam Cup with a solid 10-0 victoryover the Brazilian team.
From the beginning of the match, Argentina took control of the game, and managed to capitalize on their attacks. Brazil was forced to play a mostly defensive game and managed to find some attacking situations during the match.
The goal defended by Rodrigo Faustino, could not stop the goals of Maico Casella who with 4 goals became the player with the most goals of the day.
José Tolini Nicolas Della Torre, Tomás Domene, Lucas Martínez and Agustín Bugallo also scored for Argentina.
On Saturday the men will meet again starting at 2:00 p.m., where Mexico will face Trinidad and Tobago, at 4:15 p.m. United States vs. Canada and at 6:30 p.m. Los Diablos de Chile will face Los Leones in their debut match.
