On Day 3 of the men's Junior Pan American Championship hosted in Surrey, Canada the most heated match up was in the middle of the day between USA and Brazil. A goal with seven seconds on the clock gave the Americans the 3-2 win, while Argentina took a comfortable 5-0 win over Chile and Canada dropped Mexico 10-1.
Pool Play: Chile (0) – Argentina (5)
Two goals from Marco Aguirregomezcorta lifted Argentina 5-0 over Chile to seal their third victory of pool play on Day 3 of the 2024 Junior Pan American Championships in Surrey, Canada. Despite the score margin, Chile put on a very composed and disciplined defensive display, only struggling to connect up front. Sebastián Wolanksy quarter-backed the Chilean defence and his long aerials were key to relieving pressure. Aguirregomezcorta finished on a nifty play to open the scoring and added a second before half time after Mateo Serrano collected a high ball and blasted a back-hand cross across the goal. Mateo Serrano’s goal came off a rebound and his back-hand blast could not be stopped by Chilean keeper Teodoro Sinning. Matias Rey added a rocket before the end of the third and Somaini got on the board with a penalty corner finish to seal the shutout victory and put Argentina at the top of the pool.
Pool Play: USA (3) – Brazil (2)
A nail biter of a game ended with less than seven seconds on the clock thanks to the heroics of forward Mehtab Grewal who gave USA the 3-2 victory over a relentless Brazil side.
The USA got off to a good start with a goal from Sekayi Charasika in the second minute of play. The forward’s blast beat Brazilian keeper Leonardo Santos but the early goal seemed to get Brazil rest and organized. Brazil’s energy and relentlessness up front earned them a penalty corner in the 10th minute and Frederico Sauerbronn buried a drag flick perfectly glove side and just above the backboard. The goal stunned the Americans who had mostly maintained possession and attack but struggled to find their way through the Brazilian congestion in the circle. Brazil had some quality rushes through Lucas Varela and Luigi Lunardi but USA defenders Corey Dykema and Namit Mangat thwarted any thoughts of circle entry. Finally, the USA could feel the tension relieve as Charasika’s drag flick pulled the USA ahead in the 25th minute and half time couldn’t come soon enough.
Brazil found an equalizer in the 49th minute and a deserving Lucas Varela finished wonderfully to bring the game 2-2 with six minutes to go. The USA kept hunting for an important third goal and it seemed it would never come as Grewal put two over the net. After a quick break for a Brazilian player injury and seven seconds the clock, the USA made the most of a long corner play and worked the ball into the circle for Grewal to receive and finish on the back hand to seal the victory and, ultimately, the needed three points.
Pool Play: Mexico (1) – Canada (10)
Canada’s Robin Thind put up four goals with two coming less than a minute a part to kickstart a second Canadian victory, this time 10-1 over Mexico. Thind continued to showcase his scoring versatility burying a shot in free play and then moments later converting from the penalty stroke mark. Canada weathered a series of penalty corners from Mexico including a Isidro Santillan drag flick that ricocheted just wide of the net. Canada struggled to find a comfort goal, forcing three-straight saves off keeper Edgar Espinosa before earning a penalty corner. Satpreet Dhadda’s finish gave Canada the 3-0 edge and Canada looked to capitalize on their scoring momentum. Ravpreet Gill made it 4-0 finishing off a nifty play into the Mexican circle, while superb running from the speedy Kirin Robinson kept Canada looking threatening.
Joshua Miranda made it 5-0 for Canada as he sprinted through the circle to finish a ball after an excellent baseline entry. Miranda added his team's sixth finishing the rebound out of the air after a Leighton de Souza drag flick was blocked. Thind unleashed a rocket on his backhand to extend Canada's lead to seven and securing a hat trick, also the seventeen-year-olds second triple scoring game of the tournament. Mexico broke the shutout in the 42nd minute when Andre Benedith spun and fired on a penalty corner rebound to make it 7-1 for Canada. Navdip Chandi and Grant Simpson added more markers as Canada hit double digits to end with a convincing 10-1 victory.
Up next the teams will regroup overnight for Day 4 of action on July 7. Brazil will play Chile (12:00), Mexico and USA will face off (16:00) and the home team Canada will play Argentina (20:00).
