Field Hockey Canada > 4NC: July 20 - Women: Canada vs Japan

4NC: July 20 – Women: Canada vs Japan

July 21, 2011 | Field Hockey Canada | fieldhockey.ca


July 20, 2011
 
Right from the opening whistle, it was a very high intensity match between Canada and Japan. The two teams have not met face-to-face in any recent years and so for both teams, a bar was being set. The early part of the game was played in the Japanese defensive end with Canada maintaining possession high up the field. Fifteen minutes into the game, the momentum began to shift and Japan began to settle in after whethering the Canadian early pressure. The Japanese athleticism and speed were for sure their strengths but Canada matched that with a high work rate and disciplined structure.
 
Japan managed to execute on a penalty corner awarded in the 18th minute with a drag flick into the mesh inside the near post by Ai MURAKAMI. Midway through the first half an excellent opportunity for Canada came from a long aerial by Canada’s Diana ROEMER. The ball bounced through the Japanese defense to sprinting Thea CULLEY who picked up the ball in the circle and flicked the ball across the goal mouth. Kate GILLIS was nearly able to knock the ball into the mesh. In the 25th minute, confusion in the 25 yard area between the umpires led to a Japan attacking corner being awarded. The ball was passed low and hard for a deflection at the far post by Japan’s Rika KOMAZAWA. The score at half time remained 2-0 in favour of Japan.
 
The second half saw more build up from Canada’s midfield but no notable chances inside the circle occured. Play resumed back and forth between the 25 yard lines with Canada starting to show some fatigue after playing a man short from two back to back cards awarded to Thea CULLEY. Canada continued to battle hard and were contesting for every 50/50 ball. In the 54th minute, Japan was able to cap off the scoring with their third goal by Aki YAMADA. The initial shot was saved by Azelia LIU but left alone with no one to clear the pads, YAMADA was there to put enough behind the ball for it to trickle across the goal line.
 
The final score of the match was 3-0 for Japan but an exciting and physical game of hockey resulted in a great show for Canadian spectators today. The Canadian fans should look forward to many great games ahead including the 3-test series against Japan following this 4-Nations. 
 
Canada Startine Line-up: Azelia LIU, Ali LEE, Stephanie JAMESON, Diana ROEMER, Abigail RAYE, Tyla FLEXMAN, Katie BAKER, Krissy WISHART, Kate GILLIS, Jessalyn WALKEY, Thea CULLEY
Substitutes: Natalie SOURISSEAU, Sara McMANUS, Danielle HENNIG, Poonam SANDHU, Hannah HAUGHN
DNP: Sam SMITH, Brienne STAIRS