Barbados vs Brazil – Men
In the first game of what would be a really competitive day, both teams traded punches in the earlier parts. As the game grew older, it appeared as though the home team had the edge in terms of control, but it was the South American outfit that took the lead through Federico Sauerbronn, who made light work of a ball coming in from the right side of the baseline. The second period was proven no different with both teams going at each other but favoured Barbados, who equalized through a drag flick from Kanye Wharton in the 27th minute. This meant that the score was tied going into the half. After the break, the game continued in its competitive nature and Intensity picked up in the second half. Brazil changing to a full press and Barbados crashing the opposition and quickened their ball movement in attack. Both teams created several opportunities with “D” penetration, shots on and off target, and penalty corner opportunities. The home side would have felt hard done when they failed to defend a penalty corner in the 49th minute. Lucas Varela got his name onto the score sheet with a strike from the top of the D, which took a deflection and ended up going into the nets. Despite the efforts of the home side, it was Brazil who seemed to have done enough to claim the 6th spot in the competition, leaving the host in an undeserved 7th place as the score finished 2 to 1.
Argentina vs USA – Men Semi Final 1
In the afternoon's first semifinal, Argentina took control from the beginning of the game. As they continued to press, USA initially comfortably repelled the constant attacks. Pressure finally paid off in the 9th minute as Inaki Minadeo scored the first of his three goals from a well-executed drag flick. It didn't take long before Bautista Poletti added to the score via a deflection from some scintillating link up play in the middle of the field. By now, the USA would have grown into the game and began to carve out a few more opportunities but Argentina seemingly picked up where they left off after the first break as they continued to create chances and were soon rewarded as Minadeo dispatched his second of the afternoon and Argentina's third. In the 29th minute, Bautista Fortes only had to make contact to ensure that the Argentines went into the half time break leading 4 -0. Pressure continued to pile on to the United States and it soon led to Mineado's hat-trick and Argentina's fifth goal. Ramiro Infanzon added to the score line in the 41st minute with yet another well worked move from Argentina and the final nail came in the 56th minute when Poletti got his second goal of the afternoon, providing safe passage into the finals for the sky blue and whites with a final score of 7-0! With this result, Argentina safely qualified for the World Cup in Malaysia later this year.
Chile vs Canada – Men Semi Final 2
In the second men’s semifinal of the tournament, with everything to play for, this match provided end to end action by two equally matched teams. With a spot in the final and a sure trip to the Junior World Cup, Canada and Chile both came out full steam ahead. Decisive plays and precise passing would see both teams in a tough midfield battle to see who could take the lead with a glimpse of the trophy and one foot in the door in controlling this match. The first chance went to Canada in the 12th minute with a penalty corner, but Chile’s goalkeeper #24 Julián Villanueva marshaled his defense to see Canada’s chance go missed. Six minutes later in the 18th minute we were up the other end with Chile’s chance as they gained a penalty corner. A world class save from Canada’s goalkeeper #28 Armaan Bagri showed he was also ready to stand the test. Similar to the first, the second half started swiftly with the midfield battle continuing. The first chance of the half falling to Chile in the 42nd minute as they won a penalty corner. Chilean captain and expert Drag flicker #26 Wolansky Sebastián scored high in the net to take Chile to a 1-0 lead. A goal down and a sure World Cup spot on the line, Canada pressed forward and four minutes after Chile took the lead, Canada’s #5 Dhadda Satpreet equalized with a sizzling flick to get Canada back on level terms. Locked in at 1-1 with Canadian chants and sweet Chilean melodies, this game brought excitement, chills and breathtaking action as the battle spewed on. The last chance of the game before we went to shootouts went to Canada when a slick tomahawk from #22 Jyothswa Sidhu narrowly missed the goal to finish the game 1-1 forcing a penalty shootout. This would prove to be a Nail biting finish to this second semifinal and as fans watched on, the Chilean attacker took the line first to face Canada’s goalkeeper for his chance to give his team a lead. The first two chances for both sides were a miss, and after the next shootouts, with both teams scoring, this was expected to go down to wire. With Canada slotting home the next three chances and Chile coming up short, the Canadian team ran to smother their keeper in joy as they had just confirmed a spot in the final and a trip to the Men’s Junior World Cup in Malaysia.
