Olympic Preview: 5 things to watch with Canada’s field hockey team in Rio
PHOTO: Canada’s 2016 Olympic field hockey team lines up for the national anthem during a pre-Olympic match against the United States on July 9, 2016 (By Stewart Johnstone)
With Canada’s men’s field hockey team starting the 2016 Olympic Games Saturday against Germany (2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET; watch at olympics.cbc.ca), here are five things to keep an eye on during the Olympic hockey competition:
1. FOURTEEN MEN TO PLAY IN FIRST OLYMPIC GAMES
When Canada’s men’s field hockey team hits the field against Germany on Saturday, 14 of the 16 players will be realizing their Olympic dreams for the first time.
After last qualifying and competing in the Olympic Games in 2008, where current roster players Scott Tupper and Mark Pearson first became Olympians, but not getting back to the Games in 2012, there has been much turnover.
Tupper and Pearson will become two-time Olympians in Rio, while the rest of the team – including goalkeeper David Carter, who was a reserve athletes in Beijing – become first-time Olympians.
2. CANADA AND ARGENTINA MEET IN ALL PAN-AMERICAN MATCH UP
There is no shortage of history between Pan American rivals Canada and Argentina. The two nations are the class of the Pan American region and have proven it by meeting in the Pan American Games final every time since 1975.
Of the 11 straight Pan American Games gold medal games, the latino neighbours to the south have won seven times and the Canadians have won five times. The last time the Canadians won a Pan American Games gold was in 2007.
The match up on Monday, August 8 (8:30am PT/11:30am ET; watch at olympics.cbc.ca) comes after the two teams last met at the World League Semifinal in Argentina last June.
3. MARK PEARSON INCHES CLOSER TO TOP 10 IN ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED
In Canada’s second game (August 8 vs Argentina), midfielder Mark Pearson will play in his 206th senior international match, moving him in to 12th place all time in games played among Canada’s Men’s National Team.
Ken Pereira is the leader with 348 international matches to his name, while Rob Short is a close second with 346.
4. GORDON JOHNSTON TO PLAY IN HIS 100TH MATCH FOR CANADA
Also in Canada’s second game of the the tournament, At the young age of 23, defender Gordon Johnston will play in his 100th senior international match for Canada. 100 matches played in field hockey is a great accomplished and Johnston
Johnston first joined the National Team in 2011. He has since competed at the Junior World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and the Pan Am Games.
5. CANADIAN MEN LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY WITH BEST-EVER OLYMPIC FINISH
It’s no secret, the Canadian men are aiming for the stars in Rio. After, that’s the attitude that got them to the Olympic Games with their upset win over New Zealand at the World League Semifinal in Argentina last June.
The best finish ever at the Olympics for Canada’s men’s field hockey is tenth place. Canada will be looking to best that finish by getting to the knockout round in Rio.
If Canada finishes in the top four of its group after the preliminary round, it will advance to the quarterfinal round and be guaranteed a finish of eighth place of better. The upset win against New Zealand last year, which led to 2016 Olympic qualification, came in a quarterfinal match.
Watch all Canada’s Olympic action at olympics.cbc.ca.
