Men’s National Team scores two in the last 10 minutes, wins and will now play for fifth
It’s always a cracker, when Canada and Chile meet. This time was no different. The Canadian Men’s National Team took down their Pan Am rivals and the tournament hosts 3-2 in an awesome game featuring a two-goal comeback late in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Canada went one goal down in the first five minutes as vaunted penalty corner specialist, Juan Amoroso flicked one in from his spot. Chile was coming off a pool-play that saw them with three draws in a tight pool where France and Wales advanced with only one win each. Chile was looking for blood early and got up on Canada to start.
Canada fought back with a few nice circle entries and PC chances of their own. Canada’s goal-keeping duo of Ethan McTavish and Zach Coombs continued to share the net and each make some crucial saves that kept Canada level. Late in the first, Sean Davis and Hudson Loh combined for some nice ball movement along the baseline ultimate leading to Loh finishing a bouncing ball high over the Chilean keeper, tying the game. It was a beautiful piece of finishing work from the young Canadian striker. It was only 30 seconds later that Chile re-took the lead with a baseline goal of their own.
Canada defeats Chile in the fifth place semis in Santiago. Photos/Yan Huckendubler.
The third quarter was pure back and forth, physical, intense hockey with no goals to show for it. Canada was pressing, looking for the tying goal and Chile was countering with speed and getting plenty of chances themselves. As the game got the business end, both teams traded green and yellow cards, leaving themselves short-handed. The tying goal finally came in the 50th minute when Roop Dhillon made good on a penalty corner drag flick, breaking the 35-minute silence since the last goal.
The last 10 minutes carried a frantic energy with both teams offering chance after chance. Ultimately it was the attacking work of Davis, Robin Thind, Jude Nicholson, Loh and Rowan Childs that earned Canda a 59th-minute penalty corner. The trickery was on and Canada played an indirect pass down low and across the goal mouth to a lunging Sean Davis who cashed in the ultimate game winner.
This was a huge and impressive victory for this young Canadian side, who has been improving game-by-game. The youthful attacking cohort is getting into the circle and earning quality chances. Even though Canada’s World Cup dreams were squashed a few days ago, the team has lots to play for and they are showing a great quality. They will take on Scotland tomorrow to close out their tournament. Watch all the action on FIH Watch Hockey.
