Canadian Women’s Team Falls To Malaysia At Commonwealth
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| Photo: CGC/Yan Huckendubler |
October 4, 2010
By: Yan Huckendubler
The Canadian women’s field hockey team narrowly lost their first match at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi against Malaysia, a team ranked 3 spots behind them in the World Rankings.
After a hesitant start by both teams, Malaysia had the first opportunity of the game on a high ball bouncing weirdly in the circle that the Canadian defense had trouble. Canada were playing better as a team, but the Malaysian players were closing down on them very quickly, preventing any development of their plays.
The two teams traded penalty-corners but without creating much danger for the keepers. The Canadians seemed to suffer from the intense heat of the afternoon and their passes and ball control were not as crisp as usual.
Malaysia opened the scoring with a field-goal in the 18th minute of play, triggering an immediate reaction from Canada and Katie BAKER nearly closed the gap, but her shot was acrobatically saved by the Malaysian keeper, much to the pleasure of the Malaysian fans in the stands.
Malaysia dominated the end of the half and Canada had a few more narrow escapes, but the break was reached with the one-goal lead for Malaysia. Canada came back stronger in the second half, creating some good chances by Kate GILLIS and Stephanie NESBITT, but could not capitalize on their chances.
Even though they had turned around the tide and were controlling the flow of play, Canada had to concede two more goals (one penalty-corner and one field goal). Now down by three goals, the Canadians rushed forward and forced a penalty-stroke. Diana ROEMER made no mistake to open the Canadian tally. They immediately added a second goal after a hard pass by Stephanie JAMESON found Anna KOZNIUK, who one-timed the ball high in goal from the left of the circle.
This triggered an intense end of match, with play flowing back and forth at high speed, but the scored stayed at 3-2 for the Malaysians.
“We had more chances than them,” said a disappointed Louis Mendonca, coach of the Canadian team, “but we could not grab them. It might be the pressure of being favourites against a lower ranked team, or may be our lack of experience of these big events…”
The Canadian women’s team plays their next game on Wednesday against England, the highest ranked team of the competition.
For more information on the Canadian field hockey teams at the 2010 Commonwealth in Delhi, please contact Yan Huckendubler, Press Attaché, at +91 78-3850-3722.
Canada vs. Malaysia: 2-3 (0-1)
MAS 18mn (FG) 0:1
MAS 49mn (PC) 0:2
MAS 56mn (FG) 0:3
CAN 56mn Diana ROEMER (PS) 1:3
CAN 59mn Anna KOZNIUK (FG) 2:3
Canada: Kate GILLIS, Katie COLLISON, Ali LEE, Stephanie JAMESON, Thea CULLEY, Stephanie NESBITT, Katie BAKER, Abigail RAYE, Diana ROEMER, Robyn PENDLETON, Tyla FLEXMAN, Samantha SMITH, Kristine WISHART, Anna KOZNIUK, Azelia LIU (GK)
DNP: Amanda STONE (GK),
