Two of the eight teams in the World League Final in Raipur, India, are from the Pan American region: Argentina and Canada. Argentina started well with a clean win over the host on opening day (3-0) before suffering a narrow loss to the Netherlands (2-3) then rebounding with a spectacular win over Germany (3-1). Canada opened with a close loss against Great Britain (1-3), before been out-gunned by Belgium (2-7) and Australia (0-6).
Pan American Champions Argentina arrived ranked 5th in the competition and had the tough task to open the competition against host India in front of a boisterous home crowd, after a spectacular and colourful opening ceremony. Penalty-corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat was the first one on the score-sheet in the 3rd minute with a powerful rocket that stunned the Indian goal-keeper. Argentina dictated the play in the first two quarters and increased their tally before half-time by Joaquin Menini. The Argentinians weathered a flurry of Indian attacks in the last quarter, before Peillat definitively silenced the crowd with a last minute penalty-corner.
In a competition featuring the top seven nations in the FIH World rankings, the 14th ranked Canadians were under no illusion about their chances. They were caught flat footed by Great Britain in just the 2nd minute of play, but replied immediately by Mark Parson taking his chance from the top of the circle. Great Britain scored two quick goals back to back before half-time to take the lead, but play was balanced and entertaining in second half although no more goals were scored.
In the last match of “Super Saturday” (four matches played back to back in front of a full house), Argentina were dominated in the first period by the European Champions from the Netherlands who scored three spectacular field goals. Peillat brought back his team within contention with penalty-corner strikes in the 30th and 39th minute and the Argentinians were by far the most dangerous in the final stages of the match. They were however kept at bay by the superior defensive experience of the Dutch players, and denied of a final penalty-corner attempt by a video-referral.
In their second match of the competition, Canada had a catastrophic start against Belgium, giving away four goals in a span of five minutes… They however redeemed themselves with strong play in the second and third quarters and two spectaculars goals by Mark Pearson and Devohn Noronha-Teixeira that were well appreciated by the local crowd voicing their support for the underdog. Belgium came back strongly in the final quarter, scoring again a handful of goals, which prompted Canadian Captain Scott Tupper to recognize that his team needed to progress to the point where they can play their best hockey during the full 60 minutes and not only two quarters.
Argentina concluded pool play against double Olympic Champions Germany, the other perennial European powerhouse. The South Americans took the lead once again by Peillat on penalty-corner before the Germans levelled the contest before half-time. Argentina dominated the second half of the match and entertained the crowd with some spectacular attacking actions. They missed a penalty-stroke but took the lead by Matias Paredes in the 50th minute, before Gonzalo Peillat scored an insurance goal, his third game in a row with two goals to his credit.
With this win, Argentina finishes second in Pool B behind the Netherlands and will now play Belgium in quarter-final.
In their last pool match against Australia, ranked #1 in the world, Canada conceded again four goals in the first quarter. They then settled down and held tight until the final minutes of the match when Australia pushed their tally to six goals. The Canadian defense faced 18 penalty-corners in the match and their goal-keeper was named “Man of the Match” for his spectacular saves.
Canada finishes forth in Pool A and will now face the winners of pool B from the Netherlands.
Quarter-finals:
Wednesday December 2:
18:30 Netherlands vs. Canada
20:45 Australia vs. Germany
Thursday December 3:
18:30 Great Britain vs. India
20:45 Argentina vs. Belgium
For full results, check the FIH web site.
