The most exciting game on the third day of the Junior Pan American Men’s Championship in Surrey, Canada, was the daytime match between the United States and Brazil. The U.S. won 3-2 with a goal seven seconds into the game, while Argentina comfortably beat Chile 5-0 and Canada defeated Mexico 10-1.
Pool: Chile (0) – Argentina (5)
Two goals from Marco Aguirregomes-Corta gave Argentina a 5-0 win over Chile, marking their third win in pool play on day three of the 2024 Junior Pan American Championship in Surrey, Canada. Despite the score difference, Chile played a very calm and disciplined defense, struggling to link up up front. Sebastian Wolanski quarterbacked the Chilean defense, and his long aerials were key in easing the pressure. Aguirregomes-Corta opened the scoring with a clever play, then added a second just before halftime when Mateo Serrano picked up a high ball and blasted a backhand cross across the goal. Mateo Serrano’s goal came off a rebound, and his backhand cross was not stopped by Chilean keeper Teodoro Sinning. Matias Rey added a strong shot before the end of the third period, and Somaini scored on a penalty corner to seal the shutout victory and move Argentina to the top of the pool.
Pool: USA (3) – Brazil (2)
In a nail-biting game that ended with less than seven seconds remaining, thanks to forward Mehtab Grewal’s efforts, the U.S. defeated a relentless Brazil opponent, 3-2.
The U.S. got off to a strong start with a goal from Sekai Charasika in the second minute of the match. The forward’s powerful shot beat Brazilian keeper Leonardo Santos, but the early goal seemed to encourage Brazil to rest and play more organized. The energy and tenacity of the Brazilian front line earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute, which Frederico Sauerbron perfectly scored with a drag flick glove-side, just over the backboard. The goal surprised the U.S., who continued to attack with possession but struggled to break through the Brazilian congestion in the circle. Lucas Varela and Luigi Lunardi made quality runs for Brazil, but U.S. defenders Corey Dijkma and Namit Mangat denied them any penetration into the circle. The U.S. finally felt the tension ease, and in the 25th minute, a drag flick from Charasika gave the U.S. the lead, making halftime look forward.
Brazil scored an equalizer in the 49th minute, then Lucas Varela scored a stunning goal six minutes before the end to tie the score at 2-2. The U.S. kept looking for a crucial third goal, but it looked like it would never come, as Grewal put two goals over the net. With a short break due to an injury to a Brazilian player and seven seconds left in the game, the U.S. made the most of a long corner play, bringing the ball into the circle where Grewal received it and finished with a backhand shot to seal the win and ultimately secure the three points they needed.
Pool: Mexico (1) – Canada (10)
Canada’s Robin Shinde kicked four goals, two of which came within a minute, sparking Canada’s second victory, this time over Mexico, 10-1. Shinde continued to show his scoring versatility, scoring a shot on a free play and then scoring from the penalty stroke mark moments later. Canada survived a number of Mexican penalty corners, including a drag flick from Isidro Santillan that bounced just outside the net. Canada struggled to find a goal that gave them relief, earning a penalty corner after three consecutive saves by keeper Edgar Espinosa. A finish from Satpreet Dadda gave Canada a 3-0 lead and they looked to build on the scoring momentum. Lovepreet Gill made it 4-0 with a clever play into the Mexican circle, and some impressive running from the speedy Kirin Robinson kept Canada threatening.
Joshua Miranda raced through the circle to finish off a great baseline approach to make the score 5-0 for Canada. Miranda added his team’s sixth point when he scored an airborne rebound after Leighton de Souza’s drag flick was blocked. Sindh completed his hat trick with a rocket-like backhand shot to extend Canada’s lead to seven points. It was the 17-year-old’s second triple-scoring game of the tournament. Mexico broke the shutout in the 42nd minute when Andre Benedis spun in a penalty corner rebound to make it 7-1 for Canada. Navdip Chandy and Grant Simpson added more points as Canada reached double figures to win the match, 10-1.
The next matches will see the teams regroup overnight for the fourth day on July 7: Brazil will face Chile (12:00), Mexico will face the USA (16:00) and the home team Canada will face Argentina (20:00).
