Dream start leads to complete 60-minute victory for Canada
In a pivotal second-round clash at the 2024 FIH Olympic Qualifier, the Canadian women’s field hockey team, showed a marked improvement, securing a decisive 3-0 victory over Malaysia. Both teams entered the match with their Olympic aspirations hanging in the balance – a win was imperative for survival, while a loss would edge them closer to elimination.
Canadian assistant coach Kate Richardson Walsh, acknowledging defensive prowess in the previous game against Great Britain, emphasized the need for improved possession. Canada heeded the advice, executing a dream start by pressuring Malaysia from the onset. Sara McManus capitalized on the first penalty corner opportunity in the 3-minute mark of the match, unleashing a low rocket to give Canada an early lead.
The Canadian offense continued its momentum in the second quarter, with Chloe Walton exploiting a Malaysian turnover. Her nifty pass found Audrey Sawers, who directed a powerful shot towards goal, ultimately deflected in by Thora Rae. As the game progressed, Canada stuck to the game-plan, intensifying pressure and maintaining possession in Malaysia’s half.
The relentless Canadian attack yielded goals in each of the first three quarters, with two originating from penalty corner sets. Goalkeeper Rowan Harris showcased composure and was solid when she had to be, including making a clutch save on a late penalty corner series. The entire defensive unit limited Malaysia’s scoring opportunities throughout the match. McManus, with two goals to her name, said the team delivered on the game plan today and showed they can do it all, playing a complete 60 minutes, noting that there’s still steps they can make before next match.
“We did well working the ball and executing on our game plan. We knew this was going to be a tight game in the first half especially. But it was really nice to get an early goal to give us some confidence in the match,” McManus said. “There’s still room for improvement on finishing and execution. We’re excited going into the next game, we know we’re going to have to bring our best game.”
Canada’s convincing victory and crucial three points over Malaysia propels them into a crucial Tuesday matchup against Spain. With a spot in the semifinals at stake, the Canadian team’s disciplined performance sets the stage for a highly anticipated contest. As the Wolf Pack continues their pursuit of Olympic qualification, their methodical approach and strategic execution will be pivotal in determining their fate in the tournament. With two games under their belt, Canada looks to have rounded out their game showing they can do it at both ends of the pitch.
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