Canada vs. Trinidad & Tobago (9-1)
A new Canadian team took to the field to play Trinidad &Tobago on July 22nd. On paper it was the same team that has already playedT&T twice this week (with the exception of Devohn TEXIERA whoplayed his first game of the series after recovering from an injury).In actuality, it was a Canadian team that started to play to their potential.If the team can continue to build on this game’s success – the sky is the limitas to where they can go.
“Tonightwas the perfect game for us. We’veworked hard all week, studied videos, and focused on putting a good seventyminutes together,” says Pearson. “Thereare always little things we can look at and try to improve, but it was a greatnight. Personally, I earned a hat trick,and it was encouraging to see so many former national athletes, as well as thewomen’s national team out to support us.”
Prior to the start of the game, Rob SHORT and Ken PEREIRAwere honoured for surpassing the long-standing Canadian international cap record held by Bubli CHOHAN. In May, SHORT and PEREIRA passed CHOHAN’s 317 cap record. CHOHAN was on hand to congratulate the athletes for their great accomplishment.
“Iknew that eventually my caps record would be broken,” says Chohan. “I couldn’t have asked for better people tobreak it. I got to know Ken and Rob as Iplayed with them for eight or nine years. They are dedicated to the sport; they love it like I do. Whenever they retire, if they retire, (saidChohan with a chuckle), I challenge them to give something back to the sport,to further its development in Canada.”
Canada took it to T&T from the start of the game. Field goals in the 6th, 11th and 18th minutes byPEARSON, TEXIERA, JAMESON & SMYTH respectively put Canada up 4-0 only aquarter of the way into the match.
TUPPER top corner drag flick gave Canada a five to nilladvantage in the 21st minute of play.
BROWNE netted a goal in the 23rd minute to giveT&T some hope. A broken corner lead to a scramble in front of the net andBROWNE made no mistake beating a helpless Dave CARTER.
Gabbar SINGH scored one minute before half time to giveCanada a 6-1 lead entering the intermission.
Three more field goals from SINGH, and two from PEARSON (hattrick), in the second half gave Canada a brilliant 9-1 win over their Pan-Amcompetitors.
Canada finishes the 4 Nation Classic against Chile Sunday at1:30
Played: WRIGHT, TUPPER, JOHNSTON, WATSON, HILDRETH, STEWART,PEREIRA, JAMESON, SHORT, TEIXERA, PEARSON, K. PEREIRA, SMYTH, SINGH, FROESE,CARTER
DNP: MEAKIN, KINDLER
