The Canadian men’s national under-17 team defeated Mexico 1-0 and Chile 3-1 in the opening matches of the first ever Men’s Pan American Youth Championship. For more information and photos go to Field Hockey Canada, Pan American Hockey Federation and the Canadian Youth Pan Am Team website.
Game 1 Report
Game 2 Report
Game 3 Report
Game 4 Report
Bronze Medal Match Report
Match Report - February 12, 2010
USA versus Canada on the sixth day of the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships
Canada was unable to gain control of the match early on with the USA controlling most of the play. Canada turned the ball over at the 26th minute mark of the game and a USA forward was able to walk into the Canadian circle to score. Canada earned 4 penalty corners in the first half, USA earned 1 with neither team capitalizing. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0.
In the second half Canada was able to apply sustained pressure but couldn't yield any results. USA earned 3 short corners to Canada's 5 during the second half. In the 44th minute mark of the game Canada was able to capitalize on a penalty corner with Spencer Curran #5 scoring his first goal of the tournament. The USA added one more goal in the 55th minute as a result of defensive error.
The final score was USA 2 - Canada 1.
Goals for Canada at the:
- 44 minute, Spencer Curran #5
Goal for the USA at the:
- 26 minute, Johnny Orozco #11
- 55 minute, Pedro Zepeda #6
The Canadians’ next match takes place Saturday, February 13, 2010 morning against the Chile for the bronze medal. The gold medal game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 13th between the top two teams United States and Argentina.
The tournament serves as the continental qualifier for the Youth Olympics taking place this August in Singapore.
Joining Canada in the tournament are the United States, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Canada losses it's fourth match against a hard working USA team on the sixth day at the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships.
Canada Starting Line-up:
Alex Smith (Gk), CJ Roydhouse, Sunny Dhindsa, Spencer Curran (C), Gabriel Ho-Garcia, Gurteg Gill, Brenden Bissett, Justin Dhaliwal, Paul Wharton, Tony Sidhu, Gordon Johnston
First Half:
PC - USA - 1, Canada - 4
Cards - USA - 0, Canada - 0
Goals - USA - 1, Canada - 0
Second Half:
PC - USA - 3, Canada - 5
Cards - USA - 0, Canada - 0
Goals - USA - 1, Canada - 1
Match Report - February 11, 2010
Argentina versus Canada on the second day of the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships
Canada had 2 days of rest before the third match against Argentina. Canada had the majority of ball possession and controlled the play in the first half. Canada turned the ball over in midfield at the 30 second mark of the game and an Argentinean forward was able to walk in all alone driving the ball into the Canadian net. Every Canadian error lead to an Argentinean scoring opportunity. Argentina was able to capitalize twice more in the first half. Canada ball possession earned a 2 short corners, and at the 26 th minute, Gordon Johnston #24 made no mistake with a hard flick. The score at the end of the first half was Argentina 3 - Canada 1.
Argentina adjusted their game at half time, which changed the majority of ball possession and Argentina controlling the play. Argentina sustained pressure on Canada, earning 6 short corners to Canada's zero during the second half. Canada's solid defence was still far from their normal effort. Even with Argentina's sustained pressure only 1 more goal was added during the second half.
The final score was Argentina 4 - Canada 1.
Goals for Canada at the:
- 26 minute, Gordon Johnston #24
Goal for the Argentina at the:
- 1 minute, Leonardo Dario Castronovo #9
- 6 minute, Nicolas Cicileo #2
- 33 minute, Leonardo Dario Castronovo #9
- 64 minute, Nicolas Cicileo #2
The Canadians’ next match takes place Friday, February 12, 2010 afternoon against the USA. The gold medal game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 13th between the top two teams following the conclusion of pool play. The tournament serves as the continental qualifier for the Youth Olympics taking place this August in Singapore. Joining Canada in the tournament are the United States, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Canada losses it's third match after two rest days against a talented hard working Argentinean team on the fifth day at the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships.
Canada Starting Line-up:
Alex Smith (Gk), CJ Roydhouse, Spencer Curran (C), Gabriel Ho-Garcia, Gurteg Gill, Brenden Bissett, Justin Dhaliwal, Alex Wharton, Paul Wharton, Tony Sidhu, Gordon Johnston
First Half:
PC - Argentina - 1, Canada - 2
Cards - Argentina - 0, Canada - 1 - Green
Goals - Argentina - 3, Canada - 1
Second Half:
PC - Argentina - 6, Canada - 0
Cards - Argentina - 0, Canada - 1 - Green
Goals - Argentina - 1, Canada - 0
Chile versus Canada on the second day of the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships
The first half came out tied in this tough fought match. Both teams being able to apply sustained pressure inside the 25's. Chile earned 3 short corners while Canada earned 2. Canada's defence was solid throughout the half.
The match intensified in the second half. After several stoppage of time due to injuries, Canada's CJ Roydhouse #1 scored off a PC option. The goal increased Canada confidence and 2 minutes later Tony Sidhu #20 using his in close skills to beat 4 of the Chilean defenders before passing the ball to the baseline finding an open Gabriel Ho-Garcia #7 who drove the ball into the net for Canada's second goal. Canada earned their another short corner 6 minutes later, Gabriel Ho-Garcia #7 scored his second goal of the match with a high deflection from an option corner flick. Chilean Vicente Martin #6 scored late in the match with a nice PC flick.
To view Canada's short corner goals, click here.
Goals for Canada at the:
- 39 minute, CJ Roydhouse #1
- 41 minute, Gabriel Ho-Garcia #7
- 47 minute, Gabriel Ho-Garcia #7
Goal for the Chile at the:
- 68 minute, Vicente Martin #6
The Canadians’ next match takes place Thursday's, February 11, 2010 morning against Argentina. The gold medal game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 13th between the top two teams following the conclusion of pool play.
The tournament serves as the continental qualifier for the Youth Olympics taking place this August in Singapore.
Joining Canada in the tournament are the United States, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Canada wins it's second match against a talented Chilean team on the second day at the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships.
Canada Starting Line-up:
Alex Smith (Gk), CJ Roydhouse,, Gabriel Ho-Garcia, Gurteg Gill, Brenden Bissett, Justin Dhaliwal, Alex Wharton, Paul Wharton (C), Tony Sidhu, Navinder Purewal, Gordon Johnston
First Half:
PC - Chile - 3, Canada - 2
Cards - Chile - 0, Canada - 0
Goals - Chile - 0, Canada - 0
Second Half:
PC - Chile - 5, Canada - 7
Cards - Chile - 0, Canada - 0
Goals - Chile - 1, Canada - 3
Canada vs Mexico
Canada Starting Line-up:
Alex Smith (Gk), CJ Roydhouse, Spencer Curran (C), Gabriel Ho-Garcia, Gurteg Gill, Brenden Bissett, Justin Dhaliwal, Alex Wharton, Paul Wharton, Tony Sidhu, Gordon Johnston
First Half:
PC - Mexico - 0, Canada - 3
Cards - Mexico - 1 green, Canada - 1 green
Goals - Mexico - 0, Canada - 0
Second Half:
PC - Mexico - 1, Canada - 5
Cards - Mexico - 0, Canada - 0
Goals - Mexico - 0, Canada - 1
The first half was a tough fought match with Mexico absorbing Canada's attacks and then mounting counter attacks. Canada's defensive was solid, allowing Canada's goalie to go untested during the first half.
Canada increased the defensive pressure on Mexico in the second half, this increased the number of turnovers and enabled Canada to apply sustained pressure inside the Mexican 25. Mexico was able to absorb the Canadian pressure and mount a few odd man counter attacks. Canada's goalie, Alex Smith made several world class saves keeping Mexico off the scoreboard and Canada in the game.
To view one of Alex Smith's world class saves, click here.
At the 66 minute, Justin Dhaliwal # 12 drove the ball into the Mexican net during a goal mouth scramble. Canada was very happy to earn the win from a hard fought match on opening day at the U-17 Pan Am Youth Championships.