WC10 x DAY10 x ARG v CAN

Canada wanted to prove a point and have a win. Argentina wants to prove they have more than they have shown.

Gryphon’s Mario Alamda proved he was the best on the pitch. Man of the Match.

Well the game proved to be a great one, in the second half that is. The first was very tentative and not a lot of space was created by either team. Argentina scored from a Corner in the 29th minute.

Let’s get to the good half of the game. 5 goals came from it.

The game’s main play was Canada playing a slow build up and structured attack with good possession.  Argentina was playing on the counter attack and in the 43rd added a second goal. In the 56th Mario Almada scored his team’s third goal and the game looked done.

Well Canada had something to say about about and converted a Corner with ten minutes left to play. When Gryphon Striker David Jameson scored from a ripping reverse stick shot to the top right corner of the net the game was back on.

Canada would continue to pressure and have another huge chance on goal but didn’t convert. So close and so well controlled was the Canadian game coming to a win.

Argentina scored with 1 second to go to make the scoreline tell the wrong story.

Canada 2, Argentina 4

Argentina now play India in the playoffs while Canada play Pakistan.

Wednesday is a rest day for the players and much needed.

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC x DAY8 x CAN v S.KOR x VIDEO INTERVIEW

The hapless Canada looked to show some redemption today against South Korea who seemed to have faltered in this tournament slightly.

Unfortunately no matter what the intentions and hard work that the Canadians had put into this game, they were not realised. The first half was tight but in the 23rd Korea broke through once, and then on the 35th won a Penalty Stroke which was converted for a half time score of 2 – 0.

The second half was sadly just a continuation of the end of the first. Actually it became a goal fest from all aspects. Felt during like a goal a minute affair. Actually from the 38th to the 51st minute 6 goals were scored.  Then from the 61st another 3 goals appeared. So for the neutral it would have been a great spectacular.

Sadly from the point of view of the Canadian it pretty much all came the wrong way. Out of the 9 goals scored in the second half, 7 were against them.

On the other side the South Koreans were more diverse than their usual counter-attack and scored from different avenues.  Something they will need next round.

The Final score: Canada 2, South Korea 9.

Canada are without a win, and on the other side South Korea are still in with a chance for the finals. They play Holland and 4 goals separate the two teams as well as 3 points. A win to Korea over Holland by three goals or more is enough to put them into the finals for certainty.

After the game I was able to catch up with David Jameson from Canada. One thing he will put straight is how much a loss hurts. For those watching, take note. A loss in the World Cup is real no matter where you stand going into the game.

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC10 x DAY4 x CAN v GER

We haven’t yet seen a dominate performance in this tournament to date in an extreme sense. Well until tonight’s first game.  The defending world champs decided to flex some German muscle and put Canada into a box that will sting for a little while.

The first half netted the Germans 4 goals all from different scorers and three from Corners.  Already it is seeming that the PC is going to be a dominant factor in this tournament.   The Canadians never really had a chance to hold the ball and although didn’t play all in defence they had little choice as the German team controlled the game.

The second half was much the same but this time only two goals arrived for Germany and both were field goals. The Canadians looked better all round this half and had a lot more ball forward and good chances were there, but sadly no goals arrived.

Germany are now in second place with a +6 Goal difference. Canada are on the other end in 6th and -7 GD.

Final score: Germany 6, Canada 0.

WC10 x DAY 2 x NZ v CAN

Two countries on complete opposite sides of the world, but equally odd accents played a the most fiery game to date in the young tournament.  Yes yes the India v Pakistan game was full of a lot, but it wasn’t fiery, but more a thick excitement.

New Zealand on paper is the stronger team but Canada moved to show that means little by scoring within the very first minute of the game stunning the Black Sticks.  It didn’t take long for New Zealand through Gryphon striker Priyesh Bhana to equalise.

The game was closer to an Ice Hockey game, and considering last night the Olympic Final between Canada and USA in Ice Hockey was played, it may be no co-incidence that the guys supporting Maple Leaves on them took to the pitch fairly but firm. Before half time the score was Canada’s favour of 2 goals to 1.

In half two, the New Zealanders took control of the ball and scored twice including a 66th minute field goal to take the win.

Even though the game may not have been the best strategic lesson seen in field hockey, it was at least entertaining and shows that Canada are not a team here on token terms.

Final score: NZ 3, CAN 2

PHOTOS: DANIEL CARSON | DC IMAGES

Game 5 & 6, 3-Nations Canberra

Kookaburras 8 Australia A 2 (2-0 half time) Goals Kookaburras – Abbott 7m FG/ 57m FG, Dwyer 30m FG, Schubert 37m FG, Paterson 40m FG/ 59m FG, Orchard 49m FG, Hammond 63m FG Australia A – Doerner 55m PC, Turner 61m FG

The Kookaburras have piled on six second half goals to record a convincing 8-2 victory over Australia A in Canberra today.

In a match up that would have pleased Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth, with Australia’s best hockey players on display, Des Abbott showed why he is such a highly regarded player, scoring two impressive goals.

His first goal came at the seven minute mark against the run of play, controlling an overhead pass and then volleying the ball over the goalkeeper to the amazement of the Canberra crowd.

Two time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer produced his own magic moment at the 30 minute mark, scoring the Kookaburras’ second goal after he deflected the ball through his own feet.

Despite the Australia A side holding their own against the more experienced Kookaburras, the execution of the Kookaburras in front of goal was the difference in the second half.

Veteran striker Grant Schubert started the second half in fine form, scoring only two minutes after half time.

Mark Paterson and Simon Orchard scored two more goals to set up a commanding lead for the Kookaburras before Luke Doerner converted Australia A’s first goal of the match from a penalty corner at the 55 minute mark.

A second goal only minutes later to Mark Paterson put an end to any momentum for  Australia A, with goals to Glenn Turner and Rob Hammond for Australia A and the Kookaburras respectively finishing off the match.

The Kookaburras will now play Malaysia tomorrow in the final of the 3 Nation/ 4 Team series in Canberra while Australia A will play Canada.

In today’s other match, Malaysia defeated Canada 3-2. Details of the match can be found below.

Malaysia 3 Canada 2 (1-2 half time)

Goals
Malaysia – Saari 10m PC/ 68m PC, Grimes 38m PC,
Canada – Fernandes 20m PC, Tupper 27m PC

3-Nations Game 1, Australia-A v Canada

Australia-A 3 Canada 0

The depth of hockey talent in Australia has been reinforced tonight following Australia A’s convincing victory over Canada in Canberra.

With Kookaburra players Luke Doerner, Kiel Brown, Glenn Simpson, Ross Meadows and Ian Burcher in the Australia A squad, there was no shortage of talent.

Luke Doerner proved he is still very reliable from penalty corner situations, scoring Australia A’s first goal of the match at the eight minute mark.

Although Australia A were unable to score during the remainder of the half, the second half continued Australia A’s domination with Jason Wilson extending their lead only three minutes after half time.

Michael Bates then finished off the match in style, with a classy tomahawk goal with only second remaining in the match finishing off what was a promising performance from the young Australian players against the 11th world ranked Canadian team.