July 12, 2024 – Surrey, British Columbia (Canada)
The third and final Junior World Cup berth was claimed today in a sudden death shootout for Chile after an exciting 1-1 regular time game. Argentina took down Canada in a comfortable 10-0 victory to claim the gold medal. Much to the comfort of the Canadian fans, forward Robin Thind was named the tournament MVP along with his 11 goals scored. Amar Singh of the USA was named top goalkeeper while Marco Aguirre won top goal scorer with a tally of 12.
Gold: Argentina (10) – Canada (0)
Outside of a few bright sparks from Canadian attacker Robin Thind, the final game was all Argentina. Tomas Ruiz opened the scoring on a penalty corner, low and hard, in the seventh minute, while Santiago Fernandez blasted a shot in to make it 2-0 less than a minute later. Ruiz added a third goal on a fabulous penalty corner flick, again low past Armaan Bagri in goal for Canada. A wild second quarter left the Leoncitos run away with the score as Nicolas Rodriquez’s added two penalty corner flicks along side goals from leading goal scorer Marco Aguirre and Juan Fernandez.
Canada struggled to get out of their end and Mateo Serrano stripped a Canadian dinner and walked into the circle. From the flattest of angles Serrano roofed the ball under the bar and into the top mesh for goal number eight. Canada’s Stanley Cooke stood tall through a number of penalty corners and chances but the wave of Argentina attack was too much for the young Canadian side.
Argentina brought the game to nine on a pass from Matias Andreotti that was deflected in by Thiago Zalazar. Aguirre added the 10th goal, also his 13th of the tournament, to seal the game 10-0 for the Leoncitos.
Bronze: United States (1) – Chile (1) (SO 2-3)
Two familiar foes battled it out in a very tight affair as the USA and Chile were matched up for the bronze medal game for the third-straight year. The first quarter was spent with little chances as both teams were shaking some medal-round nerves. In the 17th minute Leo Zarnekow’s ball was deflected onto a Chilean foot in the circle and the USA had a chance to get Sekayi Charasika to deliver. The USA captain couldn’t pick up enough of the ball to beat Teodoro Sinning but the USA persisted and earned another opportunity. This time Charasika was on the mark and beat Sinning low as the ball boomed the back boards to gie the USA the 1-0 lead.
Chile had chances of their own but two miss traps on penalty corners before the end of the second quarter left penalty corner ace Sebastian Wolanksy unable to test Amar Singh, in goal for the USA. Riding the momentum, the USA had a series of free play opportunities one in tight for Bennet Nobereit and another from Charasika but both were unable to beat Sinning. In the 35th minute Chile came out with new energy and Felipe Duisberg buried one from in tight to bring the game level. Both teams traded opportunities and counter-attack rushes until the final whistle but neither keeper could be beat sending the game to a shootout. A video referral overturned USA’s opening attempt from Charasika, while Tomas Hasson’s attempt ended up in a penalty stroke that Wolansky finished. In sudden death Charasika lost his footing and couldn’t get his shot off leaving Leon Taladriz to finish off and give Chile the 3-2 shootout victory.
Junior Pan American Championships – Major Awards
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Top Goal Scorer: Marco Aguirre (ARG)
Most Valuable Player: Robin Thind (CAN)
Best Goal Keeper: Amar Singh (USA)
