Quarter Finals are around the corner

 

Quarter Finals are around the corner

Pool play has ended, dust has settled and the quarterfinal opponents are now known. The results stayed true to the team rankings, even if there were a handful of surprise performances. Here is a look at Tuesday’s quarterfinal match ups in order of when the match will be played.

 

Match 1 – Argentina vs Mexico

In Pool A, tournament favourites Argentina did as expected, comfortably winning all three pool matches, two of them by double figures. Their pressing game has proven difficult to break down, with their speed and fitness helping to completely smother opponents’ attacking options. They have scored thirty goals and conceded zero. They have had 10 different goal scorers so far in what has been a series of strong team performances. Maria Granatto is leading the tournament scoring with 9 goals. Their quarterfinal opponent is 4^th ranked Pool B team, Mexico. Fernanda Oviedo has been the pick of the Mexican players with her good close control and elimination skills. Las Leoncitas are heavy favourites to win this match.

 

Match 2 – Canada vs Uruguay

Canada were the Pool B runners up. They have put together a series of well organised, if not spectacular performances. They have worked hard as a unit and held higher ranked USA as equals for a significant period of their match. Alexis Dearmond is their leading goal scorer, but five others have also contributed to scoring. Their quarterfinal opponent is Uruguay who finished 3^rd in Pool A. Uruguay was the only team in pool play not to concede double figures against Argentina, but is also the only team to concede against Barbados. Milagros Algorta is their leading goal scorer and Sol Amadeo has also looked dangerous in attacking situations. The team ranking places Canada as favourites in this match, but Uruguay have proven that they are a capable team and should not be overlooked.

 

Match 3 – Chile vs Trinidad & Tobago

Pool A runners up Chile needed a late goal against Uruguay to secure second spot. Denise Krimerman has been their outstanding player. Krimerman is also their leading goal scorer even though she is playing from the centre back position thanks to her penalty corner goals. They were unable to stop Argentina defensively, but proved much more effective against lower ranked teams. Their quarterfinal opponent is host nation Trinidad & Tobago, 3^rd place finishers in Pool B. Kayla Brathwaite has been their top performer using her speed and fitness to create in attack as well as make crucial tackles in defence. Chelsea Dey and Felicia King have looked dangerous at times, but their team will have to be more efficient with their opportunities in the attacking third of the field. Chile are the favourites, but Trinidad & Tobago will have vocal home support acting as a potential “12^th player”.

 

Match 4 – USA vs Barbados

Pool B winners USA were generally quite dominant during round 1. Only Canada stretched them and they were eventually able to come away with a comfortable margin of victory. They have used an aggressive high pressing game extremely effectively, helping them to rack up twenty-four goals in pool play while conceding just one. Gabrielle Major is her team’s leading goal scorer with 7 goals, which places her 2^nd on the tournament’s goal scoring list. Their quarterfinal opponent is 4^th ranked Pool A team, Barbados. Barbados has shown improvement and adaptability in each of their games so far. Krysten Mayers has been their most potent attacking option, but also a reliable defender. Their inexperience is obvious, but their determination will make them fight to the end regardless of the match situation. USA are heavy favourites to win this one.

 

Knock Out Round

The winners of Argentina-Mexico and Canada-Uruguay move on to play each other in the 1^st-4^th semi-finals while the losers play each other in 5^th-8^th classification. The winners of Chile-Trinidad & Tobago and USA-Barbados move on to play each other in the 1^st-4^th semi-finals while the losers play each other in 5^th-8^th classification on Thursday 7^th April.

 

If at the end of regulation time the result is a draw, the match will proceed directly to a shoot-out competition to determine a winner.