World number five with strong showing to start the event
In an opening day face off at the FIH Olympic Qualifier tournament in Oman, Canada encountered a daunting challenge against the fifth-ranked Germany, ultimately succumbing to a sound defeat. From the onset, it was evident that the 17th-ranked Canadian team faced an uphill battle. Germany wasted no time asserting dominance, securing the goal advantage by notching three goals in the opening quarter. The early onslaught reflected Germany’s control over the game, with a grip on possession.
As the match progressed, Germany intensified their offensive prowess, adding another three goals in the third quarter. This surge effectively built an insurmountable lead for Canada, making a comeback increasingly elusive.
Despite sporadic offensive attempts, Canada struggled to break through Germany’s defensive line. Their solitary penalty corner materialized in the third quarter, but it failed to translate into a scoring opportunity. The fourth quarter witnessed a more balanced exchange, yet Canada was unable to muster a quality chance. In the final stretch of the game, Germany cemented their dominance with two additional goals, concluding the match with a decisive 9-0 victory.
A noteworthy milestone marked the Canadian side, as Vancouver’s Matt Sarmento celebrated his 150th cap in today’s match against Germany. Making his Team Canada debut in 2013 at the FIH World League Round two against Scotland, Sarmento has since participated in two Olympic Games and various top international competitions, contributing significantly to Canadian field hockey.
Huge congratulations to Matt Sarmento who is playing in his 150th senior international match today against Germany! #FIHOlympicQualifiers pic.twitter.com/WQNCkHfEfr
— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) January 15, 2024
“When the Olympics are on the line, you always get the best out of your opponents. We didnt have our best today, so we have to reset and get ready for Chile tomorrow,” Sarmento said adding that he’s proud to have played for over a decade in a Canadian jersey. “It’s a pretty cool feeling, overall it’s been a lot of great memories and an incredible ride.”
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