Hot favourites Argentina and tournament hosts Canada maintained their fine form at the men’s Pan American Cup, with both teams topping their respective Pools with impressive victories on Wednesday. The winner of the tournament in Brampton, Canada will earn a place at next year's Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague (NED).
Argentina went on the rampage with a ruthless 29-0 destruction of Uruguay to seal top spot in Pool A. The sensational result was one goal short of their record 30-0 win against the Dominican Republic at the 2003 Pan Am Games.
Canada took first place in Pool B courtesy of a crucial 3-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago. All of the goals came in the first half, with Canada fighting back from an own goal with strikes from Iain Smythe, team captain Scott Tupper and Matt Sarmento.
The results ensured that the two giants of Pan American hockey will be kept apart in Thursday’s Semi Finals. Pool A winners Argentina will face Pool B runners up Trinidad & Tobago in the final four, while Canada will meet North American neighbours USA. The US team sealed their place in the Semi Finals by defeating Mexico 3-2 thanks to a last minute penalty corner from Pat Harris, a strike that completed his second hat-trick of the tournament.
Brazil and Chile were also in action on Wednesday, with Chile running out 5-0 winners against their South American rivals.
A selection of videos from Wednesday’s matches can be found below, while complete information about the Men’s Pan American Cup is available on the Pan American Hockey Federation website.
Results – 14 August 2013
Pool A
Mexico 2-3 USA
Argentina 29-0 Uruguay
Pool B:
Brazil 0-5 Chile
Canada 3-1 Trinidad & Tobago
Schedule for Thursday August 15:
9h00 (cross-over 5-8): 3A Mexico vs. 4B Brazil
11h30 (cross-over 5-8): 3B Chile vs. 4A Uruguay
17h00 (semi-final): 1A Argentina vs. 2B Trinidad & Tobago
19h30 (semi-final): 1B Canada vs. 2A USA
