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Men - Semi-final - Argentina vs. Canada : 5-2
Argentina powered their way to a 5-2 semifinal win over Canada to punch their ticket to the 2022 World Cup hosted later this year in India. This is the first time since 1971 that Canada has not been in a Pan American Cup or Games final. The Red Caribou were on the hunt for a third World Cup appearance since 2010 but their fourth quarter goals were not enough to over throw the two-time defending Pan Am Cup champs.
Jose Tolini’s two penalty corner goals put the Leones on track, while goals from Federico Fernandez, Tomas Domene and Maico Casella helped seal the victory. Late goals from Canada’s Devohn Noronha and Matthew Sarmento came too little, too late despite a gutsy team performance.
In the opening minutes Santiago Tarazona had a reverse stick shot roll just past the right post and while Argentina carried most of the attack the Canadian defence looked organized and stuck in. A 20th minute penalty corner flick from Tolini finally beat Canadian keeper Antoni Kindler to lift Argentina 1-0.
Minutes later Canada had a chance to level as Norohna was pushed off the ball by Agustin Machelett resulting in a penalty corner but the Gordon Johnston flick was deflected wide of the Argentine net.
Both teams did have chances as Finn Boothroyd’s deflection tested Argentina keeper Tomas Santiago, while Martin Ferreiro’s expert pass across the Canadian goal just missed the stick of Casella.
Kindler stood tall to defend another penalty corner flick from Tolini near the end of the second quarter and Canada continued to hunt for an equalizer. Canadian captain Keegan Pereira crafted his way into Argentina territory to earn a second corner for Canada but the Johnston flick was again steered wide.
Tolini doubled Argentina’s lead on a rocket penalty corner flick in the 40th minute and before Canada could reset the Leones were already back in Canada’s end. Domene put on a 3D showcase on the left baseline to draw four defenders and then float the ball back to the stroke where Fernandez was there to fire it in for a 3-0 Argentina lead.
Canada continued to have their chance including another penalty corner in the 45th minute but the ball was miss trapped at the top of the circle. Things started to turn as moments later Canadian defender Balraj Panesar turned the ball directly over to a streaking Martin Ferreiro. Ferreiro went in solo but Kindler’s pads were there to deny him.
Canada had yet another corner in the 52nd minute but the ball was miss trapped and the resulting shot by Johnston was too high. Argentina quickly countered with an incredibly long aerial to find Domene deep near Canada’s baseline. Domene’s efforts again on the baseline allowed him to look up and in searching for Fernandez at the stroke the ball went off Canadian defender Sukhi Panesar and into the net for a 4-0 Argentina lead.
Canada did not back down. With Kindler to the sideline, Floris van Son stole the ball just outside the Argentina circle to help prompt a Canadian penalty corner. Van Son’s flick was calmly denied. Moments later Brendan Bissett was able to find Norohna in tight and the deflection beat Tomas Santiago to break the shutout.
Canada continued to press and van Son smashed a quick free hit from the right sideline into the Argentina circle. Sarmento was there to collect, fake Santiago and calmly slot the ball in to bring Canada within two.
Canada’s desperation got the best of them as Norohna and Brendan Guraliuk were set off with cards in the 59th minute and with Kindler still off Canada’s hopes started to fade. A foul inside the Canadian circle with an empty net led to a penalty stroke for Argentina and Casella fired home to lift Argentina 5-2.
Speaking after the match Argentina’s Agustín Bugallo said: 'We have just finished our most difficult game of the year so far. We prepared for the qualifier with a very fresh and new-look team, including some younger players. I am very proud to be part of this team. This was a very hard match but we put our trust in the team and the game plan. I am very moved and very happy.’
Despite the loss, Canadian midfielder Bissett celebrated his 150th international match on his birthday no less. The Canadians will regroup without a World Cup berth but a chance to hunt for Pan American Cup bronze.
Men - Semi-final - USA vs. Chile : 0-0 (so: 1-3)
It was back-to-back historic nights as the Chilean men did what the Chilean women were able to accomplish just a night before. The Diablos took the United States to a shoot-out and were victorious 3-1 to guarantee their first-ever World Cup appearance. Chile’s Juan Amoroso, Franco Becerra and Kay Gesswein scored in the shootout, while Adrian Henriquez made three saves to secure the win.
The game was scoreless through four quarters of play with both back lines proving very stingy. In the final minute of the opening quarter William Enos earned Chile a penalty corner after deflecting a long ball into the foot of a USA defender. The flick from Axel Richter was blocked by the speedy American defence unit.
It was back and forth through most of the game with minimal offensive opportunities. In the 37th minute a smart video referral went in USA’s favour and the resulting penalty corner flick from Aki Kaeppeler was well saved by Henriquez. The favourable rebound allowed Chile to outlet quickly down the left side and a perfect pass split Klages and a sliding Kaeppeler to find the diving stick of Raimundo Valenzuela. Valenzuela had an open look at goal but the ball rolled just wide of the post.
USA speedster Alberto Montilla had a close-ranged back-hander in the 44th minute but Henriquez was more than up to the task. In the final quarter Felipe Renz danced his way through the Chilean circle and earned Chile a penalty corner. Juan Amoroso flicked low and an out-stretched boot from Klages was there to deny a Chilean goal.
Fitting for the equal regular time performances from both teams, the game went to a shootout.
Kei Keappeler was first to smoothly beat Henriquez on the ground to give USA the first goal. In similar fashion Amoroso buried one past Klages to level the score. Both keepers denied the second chances taken by USA’s Ajai Dhadwal and Chile’s Andres Pizarro. USA captain Pat Harris was then denied when he tried to flick high over Henriquez. Chile’s Franco Becerra dribbled left and curled strong to sweep the ball into the open goal to give Chile the 2-1 edge.
After Montilla’s back-hand was saved by Henriquez, it was all on Kay Gesswein. Gesswein buried his reverse-stick shot to send the Chilean crowd, for the second night, in to fits as the Diablos will now play Argentina in the Pan American Cup final and are guaranteed a ticket to India for the 2022 World Cup.
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