The Pan American Hockey 5's World Cup Qualifiers in Kingston have been nothing short of exciting, as teams from across the Americas fought tooth and nail for a spot in the upcoming 2024 World Cup in Oman. After a series of intense matches on the fifth day of the qualifiers, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America men’s teams emerged triumphant, securing their tickets.
In the Cross-Over 1 round, the United States showcased their prowess with an impressive 4-0 victory over Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Paraguay and Puerto Rico engaged in a nail-biting encounter that ended in a 3-3 draw, with Paraguay winning the subsequent penalty shootout 2-1.
The hosts, Jamaica, found themselves in a thrilling battle against Guatemala. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but it was Jamaica that displayed composure and skill during the penalty shootout, triumphing with a 2-1 score. Trinidad and Tobago's dominance was on full display as they decimated Panama with a remarkable 10-1 victory.
In Cross-Over 2, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico locked horns once again, resulting in another intense draw, this time with a 1-1 score line. The penalty shootout saw Puerto Rico seize the moment, securing a 2-1 win. Guatemala proved their mettle with a commendable 3-1 triumph over Panama.
As the semifinals kicked off, the United States asserted their dominance yet again with a commanding 5-1 victory over Panama to qualify for the World Cup and secure a spot in Sunday’s final. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago continued their exceptional form by beating Jamaica 9-2 to book their World Cup spot.
