8th Men's Pan American Junior Championship – Day 8

Results, Points Table, Match Schedule here

Day 1 Match Reports – part 1, part 2, part 3
Day 2 Match Reports here
Day 3 Match Report here
Day 4 Match Reports here
Day 5 Match Reports here
Day 6 Match Reports here
Day 7 Match Reports here

Match Reports by Graciela H. Ortiz, PAHF Media Officer

Mexico 4 defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3
Goals: Mexico - Jorge Gómez 34m 52m, Oscar Galván 41m 58m; Trinidad & Tobago 58m, Wayne Legerton 64m 70m

Doubles to Jorge Gómez and Oscar Galván allowed Mexico to edge Trinidad & Tobago 4-3 and snatch the remaining semi final place at the 8th Men's Pan American Junior Championship in Cuba.

The tournament will qualify the top three for the Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from 29 June this year.

With Argentina, USA and Chile already safely through Saturday's semifinals, the battle for the final spot came down to race between Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and Canada.

The first half of the match was even, but, step by step, Mexico gained control of play. Both teams employed a tight marking, tough game plan, which forced the umpires to show a pair of yellow cards to control play.

Mexico looked the more threatening team, reaching the Trinidad & Tobago’s defensive area regularly, while the Caribbean’s attacks were sporadic. Althouhgh they produced three penalty corners (against 12 from Mexico), they could not take advantage of Wayne Legerton's excellent shot.

Both teams were playing with one man down due to Leopoldo Ríos Benítez and Alan Henderson being temporarily expelled, when Mexico took the lead through one of their top scorers, Jorge Gómez, for a 1-0 lead.

Mexico dominated the second half, though Trinidad & Tobago also produced some good counter-attacks.

The Mexicans took a valuable 3-0 advantage with goals to Oscar Galván and Gómez in the 41st and 52nd minutes, but Trinidad & Tobago reacted and the match became an exciting contest.

Trinidad & Tobago captain Daren Cowie closed the gap in the 56th minute but another penalty corner goal to Galván two minutes later restored Mexico’s advantage.

Nevertheless, the Caribbean team’s fighting spirit continued and Legerton scored two late goals for a 4-3 final scoreline.

Canada 13 defeated Puerto Rico 1
Goals: Canada - Jonathan Roberts 4m 9m, Richard Hildreth 11m 48m, Philip Wright 28m, Mark Pearson 36m 38m, Harpreet Virdi 50m 52m 56m 58m 66m, Cregan Joseph 46m

Canada obtained and easy 13-1 victory over Puerto Rico in the first match of the day but had to wait on the result of Mexico’s match against Trinidad & Tobago to see if they qualified for the semi finals.

Five goals in 16 minutes from Harpreet Virdi (in the 50th, 52nd, 56th, 58th and 66th minutes) and the others netted by Jonathan Roberts (in the fourth and ninth minutes); Richard Hildreth (in the 11th and 48th); Mark Pearson (in the 36th and 38th); Philip Wright (in the 28th) and Cregan Joseph (in the 46th) gave the victory to the Canadians.

After a slow and lacklutre first half, Canada went to half-time leading 4-1.

Puerto Rico stoped Canada's attacks early thanks to tight marking and counter-attacked with danger scoring in the 14th minute through Omar Márquez.

The North Americans did not have problems after the break to net nine goals and seal a definitive 13-1 win.

Chile 26 Venezuela 0
Goals: Chile - Alexis Berczely 6m 8m 15m 17m 22m, Alfredo Thiermann 12m 13m 20m 33m 35m 44m 53m 54m, Thomas Tegtmeier 11m 48m, Nicolás Yuraszeck 32m, Thomas Kannegiesser 47m, Rodrigo Labra 58m, Raimundo Valenzuela 63m 66m 68m, Sebastián Kapsch 64m, Fernando Fernández 67m, Jaime Zarhi 70m

Chile finished unbeaten at the top of the Group B by demolishing Venezuela 26-0 in the last match of the preliminary rounds.

The Chilean goals were netted by Alfredo Thiermann (8), Alexis Berczely (5), Raimundo Valenzuela (3), Thomas Tegtmeier (2), Thomas Kannegiesser, Nicolás Yuraszeck, Rodrigo Labra, Sebastián Kapsch, Fernando Fernández, and Jaime Zarhi.

Friday’s Matches
Cross-over 9-11: Jamaica v Venezuela, 8.30am
Cross-over 5-8: Cuba v Trinidad & Tobago, 1.30pm
Cross-over 5-8: Barbados v Canada, 4pm

Saturday's semifinals
Semi Final 1: Argentina v Mexico, 8.30am
Semi Final 2: USA v Chile, 11am