Matthew Sarmento scored the lone goal for Canada as the young men’s side fell 5-1 to a determined Wales side in the team’s opening games of the Commonwealth games. A strong first quarter that saw a hat-trick scored set the tone as No. 16 Wales toppled No. 12 Canada to get off to a dream start in the games.
“Today we opened far too defensively and I as coach am responsible for that as it was my decision,” said interim head coach Peter Milkovich. “I think what we really needed was to get our legs under us by pressing in the first quarter in order to create more opportunities to attack and maintain possession. I am pleased with the effort but disappointed with the result against a very strong opposition.”
Photo Credit: Yan Huckendubler
Despite scoring three first-quarter goals Wales were on the receiving end of the opening chance of the game, with Canada’s Balraj Panesar seeing his effort saved by keeper Tobias Reynolds-Cotterill. Wales took the wakeup call and responded well, creating a couple of chances before Gareth Furlong fired the Welsh ahead in the ninth minute. An inspired Furlong then completed a remarkable first-quarter hat-trick of drag flicks with two more goals inside the last five minutes of the quarter to leave Canada shell-shocked and 3-0 down.
Canada, with a mountain to climb already did grow into the game in the second quarter, Harbir Sidhu being denied before Roop Dhillon had two efforts on goal. There was still time for Wales to re-assert their dominance, James Carson seeing two shots saved by Canadian keeper Ethan McTavish. A goalless quarter saw Wales to the break 3 goals to the good.
Photo Credit: Yan Huckendubler
A cagey start to the third quarter saw both sides pick up green cards, before Wales’s Stephen Kelly had the first meaningful attempt of the second half. Compatriot James Carson continued the Welsh pressure, hitting the post following a penalty corner. More chances followed for Wales as they looked to turn the screw. Right at the death of the quarter the pressure told on Canada, Gareth Griffiths scoring to put Wales 4-0 up.
Griffiths also had the opening chance of the final quarter, but it was the impressive Furlong who added Wales’s 5th of the morning, from a penalty corner. Canada to their credit kept going and managed to grab a consolation goal through Matthew Sarmento with a minute to go. Despite the late goal conceded it was an almost perfect start to the games for Wales.
Final score for the @FHC_MNT with a late goal from @sarmy21 #B2022 https://t.co/2mZoA4iVAF
— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) July 30, 2022
“When you begin the process of turning a team over it is inevitable that there will be difficult times right through the entire organization,” added Milkovich, whose squad had six players with zero caps heading in to the games. “We believe that we have begun to set a plan today to create the opportunity for the MNT to qualify for Paris 2024. We are at the beginning of this journey and need to understand collectively what it will take grow together as an organization committed to excellence on a daily basis.”
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MEN’S EVENT PAGE
July 30: Canada v Wales (5-1 Loss)
August 1: Canada v Ghana (11:00 PT/14:00 ET)
August 3: Canada v India (6:00 PT/9:00 ET)
August 4: Canada v England (8:00 PT/11:00 ET)
WOMEN’S EVENT PAGE
July 29: Canada v Wales (4-0 Win)
July 31: Canada v England (11:00 PT/14:00 ET)
August 2: Canada v Ghana (3:00 PT/6:00 ET)
August 3: Canada v India (3:00 PT/6:00 ET)
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