Canada scores two in the fourth, look forward to Poland
The World Cup Qualifiers are afoot in Chile with Canada and Ireland playing the first match of the tournament. Canada was off to a flying start, earning a penalty corner in the first minute, but was unable to keep that attacking momentum in the first half.
Ireland held the possession advantage in the first half and struck first with two first half goals, the first off the stick of Adam McAllister and the second from Jonathan Lynch. Canada had forays into the Irish zone but nothing to show for it. Canadian keepers, Ethan McTavish and Zach Coombs held fast between the pipes and made some terrific saves, keeping the game tight in the first.
Canada started to gain some attacking momentum in the second half with several good runs into Irish territory. Robin Thind looked increasingly dangerous in this game and was supported by Brendan Guraliuk, Sean Davis and Jude Nicholson up front. Rowan Childs got Canada on the board with a nice deflection goal at the start of the fourth quarter, coming off a penalty corner set piece and Nicholson added his first marker of the tournament with a nice piece of skill, finishing off a baseline run.
Ireland scored a penalty corner goal, a field goal and a penalty stroke in the second half, establishing themselves as a serious threat in this tournament for World Cup qualification.
Overall, Canada showed flashes of attacking creativity and strength during the game. McTavish and Coombs played stoutly and the defense showed resiliency. The offensive momentum from the fourth quarter should be huge for a team looking at two matches needing positive results coming up. Canada takes on Poland on March 3, looking to build on the positives and put up a bounce-back performance.
Photos by Yan Huckendubler
