CBC video highlights of the match (beginning at 9:10)
The Canadian men’s team won a hard fought battle against Cuba (3-2) to reach the final of the Pan American Games for the tenth time in a row. Only one more win and the men will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games!
The match started with a bang for Canada, Matt GUEST deflecting the ball in goal in the first minute of play. Scott TUPPER scored a penalty-corner soon after and Canada was suddenly with a two goal lead when the match had hardly started. Cuba was nevertheless far from down and came back in the match with a penalty-corner in the 14th minute.
Canada scored again in the 21st minute by Gabbar SINGH, penetrating the circle after a long run amongst the Cuban defenders before unleashing a shot that left no chance to the Cuban goal-keeper. Cuba increased again their pressure, trying to take advantage of a yellow card to a Canadian player, but Canada stood their ground firmly and maintained their two goal advantage going into the break.
The second half was incredibly intense, probably the best half of hockey played so far in this competition. The two teams battled fiercely for possession and play was going back and forth at high speed. Cuba managed to score in the 49th minute to reduce their deficit, setting the stage for torrid end of game. The Cubans, individually skilled and playing, true to their style, a very athletic and fast game.
Canada had to rely on all their experience to weather the Cuban storm, staying calm and managing to maintain their defensive structure under pressure, with Rob Short, Ken Pereira and Scott Tupper working in overdrive to keep the door shut.
Canada had a chance to increase their lead on a penalty-corner but could not convert it, while Cuba nearly tied the score in the 68th minute with a hard shot that went in, but was taken from outside the circle. The clock seemed to run slower and slower and the final minutes were very long for the Canadian fans in the stand (and no doubt for the players!), but the horn finally sounded, sending Canada in the final of the Pan American Games for the traditional face-off with Argentina: the two rivals have already met nine times at this stage of the competition.
The winner of the final match on Saturday at 5:30pm will automatically qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London!
ROBIN D’ABREO
“It was a tight game, and there was tension in the game throughout,” says Head Coach Robin D’Abreo. “I think we did well to get by a team that moves very fast – they gave us trouble for much of the game. I’m happy we made it through though I think our performance was a little lacking today, and we’re going to need to build on that to face whoever we’re going to face in the finals.
“We are here to win this tournament and we are here to qualify for the Olympic Games. With this performance we have given ourselves an opportunity to allow that to happen.”
MATTHEW GUEST
“It was really nice to score the first goal in the first few minutes. I think emotions were running high early in the game. It was a really high pressure game we got to 3 – 1 and they came back at us really hard and they put us under the pump a lot late in the game. For us to hold on and get through this game is great. And now – I guess one more game to the Olympics! I’m super excited and I’m really confident – I think we’re going to do it.”
GABBAR SINGH
“I am proud that we won the semi-finals and are going to play in the finals. We want to win the finals.”
SCOTT TUPPER
“The game was a pretty exciting one – maybe a little closer than we would have liked it, but we got out for the early lead. Most importantly we got ourselves into the finals and it was nice to play with pressure. We are definitely ready for the finals and looking forward to it – can’t wait.”
