Canada showed it is ready for this competition, relentlessly attacking the Italian goal to finish with a comfortable win (9-0). France won a toughly contested battle against Poland, holding on to a one-goal lead (2-1). India had an easy time, scoring 15 goals against a young Singapore team.
Canada vs. Italy: 9-0 (half-time: 3-0)
Temperatures rose to the mid-twenties for the first men’s game of the Hero FIH Road to London competition. Before the match, Scott Tupper (Canada) was honored for his 150th International Cap.
Canada took control of the game early and were dangerous in the circle. The Italians were pushed back on their heels and conceded a penalty-corner. The initial shot was saved, but David Jameson was on hand to pick up the rebound, opening the scoring for Canada.
The Canadians kept pushing and solidified their lead a few minutes later by Matthew Guest, cleverly lobbing the Italian goalkeeper from a difficult angle. They increased the gap just before half-time by Rob Short, well position in the circle to pick up a ball on the run and slot it past Fabrizio Federic in the Italian goal.
Canada kept working hard in second half and added an early goal from Hudson Stewart. Italy reacted well for a moment, forcing a penalty-corner saved on the line by Short, but they could not hold back the relentless attacks by the Canadians, who added five goals by Iain Smythe, Guest, Short, Phil Wright and Tupper, for a comfortable 9-0 win.
Player of the Match was Rob Short of Canada.
For more information on CAN v ITA, click here.
France vs. Poland: 2-1 (half-time: 1-0)
The start of game was intense between the two teams ranked 18th and 19th. France drew first blood with a wonderful goal by Hugo Genestet, displaying excellent skills to beat Arkadiusz Matuszalk in the Polish goal. The French controlled the first part of the period, with captain Arnaud Becuwe very present in midfield. France missed a chance to increase the score with a high forward one-on-one with the goalkeeper, allowing Poland to settle their nerves and progressively threaten more the French goal.
The match became a tense battle in midfield, with neither team holding their punches but hardly any scoring opportunities at either end for the remainder of the period.
France forced the first penalty-corner of the match early in second period, and Lucas Sevestre slotted his flick low left of the Polish keeper after a simple combination. But the two-goal lead was short lived as Szymon Oszyjcczyk received a ball unmarked in the circle and lost no time to propel it high in goal.
The match was an excellent display of hockey, going back and forth at high speed. Tempo increased a few notches in the final ten minutes, with Poland pushing desperately forward to try and tie the game, while the French defended their lead and mounted some swift counter-attacks.
In the end, France held on to its narrow one-goal lead, winning, 2-1 ,in a highly contested match that could have gone either way.
Player of the Match was Arnaud Becuwe of France.
For more information on FRA v POL, click here.
India vs. Singapore: 15-1 (half-time: 6-0)
The debut of the Indian team in this Hero FIH Road to London tournament has been wildly anticipated by the crowd, which is looking redemption after India missed the Beijing Olympics. Singapore was the first obstacle to making it to the 2012 Olympics, only ranked 41st in the world and called in at the last minute to replace the U.S. Their very young team was immediately under pressure from a whirlwind of Indian attacks.
Singapore held on for about ten minutes, time for the Indian attackers to tune their shots, then Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Sardar Singh promptly gave a two-goal lead to their team and India never looked back. Singapore had a lone opportunity on a penalty-corner, but India was monopolizing the ball and started to pile up the goals, reaching 6six at half-time.
Singapore scored one goal early in second period, which they celebrated exuberantly. Then India resumed their one-team show, scoring nine more goals in second period for a total of 15, against a Singaporean team that finished the match exhausted.
The display of individual skills and speed by the Indian players was greatly appreciated by the crowd, simply happy to see the many goals.
Player of the Match: Gurwinder Singh Chandi of India
For more information on IND v SIN, click here
Schedule for Sunday February 19
12h00: Canada vs. Poland
16h00: Singapore vs. France
20h00: India vs. Italy
