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Field Hockey Canada |  |
Canadian Game Reports - Women
Practice |
July 20 - Canada - England U-21 : 1-1 July 21 - Canada - South Africa : 1-0 July 23 - Canada - Australia : 1-2 July 24 - Canada - Scotland : 1-2 |
Round-Robin |
July 26 - Canada - India : 0-1 July 28 - Canada - England : 1-6 July 29 - Canada - New-Zealand : 1-3 |
7th-8th place |
August 1 - Canada - Malaysia : 5-0 |
 Back to Schedule and Results |
Report from Morley Jameson. Even though this was just a pre-Commonwealth Games "friendly", it must have been with some nervous apprehension that team "rookies" Steph Hume and Steph Jameson prepared for their first senior international match. Led by veterans Lisa Faust (104 caps), Sue Tingley (99) and Aoibhinn Grimes (84) this Canadian team is a mix of veteran experience and youthful exuberance. What must have pleased them, surely, was the much more suitable climate in which to play. After the oppressive Humidex readings in the 40s in southern Ontario, here in greater Manchester the temperature has generally been in the mid-teens, with little humidity, and a mixture of sun and cloud. Today's game - their first - is the only one to be played at Stonyhurst College, an alternate pitch located at this private Catholic school some 60 miles north of Manchester. Thus far the team has had but one practice in England, that being at Bellevue (the venue for the Games) for 90 minutes the previous evening. Canada's starting lineup (left to right) was: Agulay - Wong - Faust, Rushton, Hunt - Rix - Taunton, Tingley - Grimes - Cuthbert, Johnson. Coach Worth's philosophy is to sub in everyone at regular, pre-determined intervals. Thus, Steph Hume (forever to be known as "Barney", but that's another story) and Becky Price subbed up front while Kelly Rezansoff and Steph Jameson played in mid-field. The back four rotated amongst their positions and Sarah Forbes sat out, giving Amy Agulay a full game. For a good part of the first half, Canada controlled the play keeping the ball in England's end. When England did break out the Canadian defence was quick to respond and sent the ball back the other way. The forwards supplied constant pressure on the English backs and were rewarded with three successive penalty corners in the 15th minute. The English goalie was equal to the task, stopping shots from Meggan Hunt and Andi Rushton. It was not until the 20th minute that England got their first shot on goal which was quickly followed by a penetrating run by Becky Price resulting in a good chance to score. Canada had two more penalty corners before the end of the half while England had only one itself, and one other chance to score. Finally, in the 34th minute great pressure on the English sweeper by Deb Cuthbert resulted in her stripping the ball from the defender and putting it past a startled English goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead. England began the second half more determinedly and were rewarded with a series of penalty corners early on. Canada seemed to have some difficulty defending one of their options which was to play the ball directly from the baseline to a player just outside the 21 yard line who dribbled back in quickly to shoot on goal. However, the Canadian defence anchored by Agulay was solid and no goals were scored. Play was much more equal in this half with Canada gaining two more penalty corners in the 20th minute, which they were unable to convert. Lisa Faust saved the ball behind Agulay after a decisive run by an English forward in the 57th minute. However, this resulted in a penalty corner and England's Ann Panter finally leveled the score from the play described above. Late in the half Canada was given a good chance to win off a steal by Deb Cuthbert and pass to Becky Price who just missed. The teams played 5 minutes of overtime with no real good chances, although Canada dominated possession. Thus to strokes where the only difference was Canada's first shot which clanged off the post with the English goalie beaten. Amy Agulay got a piece of two English shots, but not enough to keep the ball out. The final score was 1-1 (penalty strokes 5-3 for England). Not the result Canada was looking for but they can take some consolation in that they dominated the play and demonstrated good ball movement. As coaches Worth and Ali remarked after the game, the team needed "... to be stronger on the ball" and "... (able to) finish better." Sunday is a practice day with successive "friendlies" versus South Africa, Australia and Scotland scheduled at Bellevue for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They begin play for real next Friday, July 26th against India. |
Report from Morley Jameson. (Reporter's note - as this parent/reporter has been denied access to the Hockey venue, I have been reduced to watching through a fence, from a 50m distance. Consequently, it's a little harder to report accurately!) After yesterday's spirited win over South Africa the Canadian team came out strongly today against top ranked Australia and were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 4th minute. A fine push-out by Grimes and stop by Wong was rewarded with a strong Meggan Hunt shot ... 1-0 Canada! However, this seemed to awaken the champion Australians who dominated play for the rest of the half and scored goals in the 6th and 10th minutes, the first from a penalty corner and the second from free play. Strong play by Sarah Forbes kept them from scoring further. The second half was more equal, although Australia had more of the play. Canada did have their chances, culminated by a disallowed goal by "Barney" Hume which was set up by Steph Jameson - too bad that the two "rookies" weren't credited with their first score. However, the umpire thought the ball had deflected off her body (it really was her stick) and even after discussing it with the other umpire she would not reverse her decision. Equally strong play by Amy Agulay kept Australia off the scoreboard as well. Thus, a 2-1 loss to powerhouse Australia following a 1-0 over top ten ranked South Africa has coach Worth feeling that this Canadian group is capable of doing damage when the tournament starts for real later in the week. He particularly felt that they withstood the intense Australian pressure very well. Tomorrow it's Scotland, another stern test. |
Report from Morley Jameson. (Reporter's note - tonight's game was played on the main pitch, making it even more difficult to "peek through the fence." I was joined tonight by Tony and Sue Wong, their daughter Sarah, and Cheryl Taunton.) Scotland beat Canada 2-1 on a cool, blustery night here in Manchester. Because of time constraints the teams played three, 20 minute periods. Although Scotland applied immediate pressure and had a good chance in the first minute, Canada responded and Stephanie Hume scored from a penalty corner in the fifth minute. Canada continued to apply good pressure and have more of the play until the tenth minute when Scotland broke down the field to level the score. Canada achieved two successive penalty corners in the 14th minute but failed to score and also had another chance in the 23rd minute. After a Scotland penalty corner in the 31st minute, a Canadian turn-over in midfield led to Scotland counting the winning goal. In the 46th minute, another Scotland penalty corner resulted in a fine save by the Amy Agulay, deflecting the ball off the crossbar and back into play. From this point, the teams played even hockey. Each team had their share of penalty corners and long corners but were unable to convert. Again, Amy Agulay was outstanding in the the Canadian goal, at one point making three successive saves. Canada applied good pressure late but were unable to equalize. Canada now has a 'rest day' tomorrow with only the Opening Ceremonies on their schedule. They start play for real versus India on Friday evening. |
Report from Morley Jameson. India defeated Canada 1-0 today in a closely fought contest played in brilliant sunshine at the Belle Vue Hockey Centre. As has been the case, Canada's starting line-up consisted of Forbes - Wong - Faust, Rushton, Hunt - Rix - Taunton, Tingley - Grimes - Cuthbert, Johnson with Price and Hume subbing in the 11' and Rezansoff and Jameson in the 15' and 16' respectively. From there the forward and mid-field players subbed quite regularly while the defence remained fairly constant. The outcome surely may have been different had Canada managed to convert one of the four penalty corners they were given beginning in the second minute. However, the Indian goalie managed to save the first chance and deflect the last which resulted in another good chance from the subsequent long corner. Canada continued strong play for the next while and it wasn't until the 9' that India had their first shot on goal, followed quickly by another fine save by Sarah Forbes. Canada received another penalty corner in the 11' after a deliberate foul inside the 25 yard line but, again, were unable to convert an attempted deflection on the near post by "Beaner" Grimes who had pushed the ball out. India slowly began to gain much of the play causing Sarah Forbes to make another fine save on a penalty corner in the 22'. India had apparently scored in the 25' but it was overruled when the two umpires consulted, resulting in a long corner instead. Each team had their chances for the remainder of the half, with India gaining a penalty corner as time expired. However, their shot went wide, ending the first half in a scoreless draw. India began the second half in a strong fashion and gained a pair of penalty corners in the 43'. On the second, a hard shot was deflected over a sprawling Amy Agulay by Suman Bala Saini for the only goal of the game. Although Canada gained a penalty corner in the 48', forcing the Indian goalie to make a fine leg save off a Deb Cuthbert shot, the superior Indian team speed made it difficult for Canada to mount a sustained attack. Canada did have one final penalty corner in the 53' in which they used a different play - pushing the ball out from the goalie's left directly outside the hash marks then driven back across the circle. However, the shot went harmlessly off the end line. The general consensus from the small, but noisy Canadian contingent was that, if Canada had been able to convert one of the early penalty corners it very well may have been a different result. However, now Canada must regroup to play what may well be a somewhat annoyed English side who barely managed to draw against New Zealand in the previous game. So, it is games versus England on the 28th and New Zealand on the 29th to end pool play. |
Report from Morley Jameson. Starting line up: Forbes - Wong - Faust, Rushton, Hunt - Rezansoff, Rix, Tingley - Grimes - Price, Hume.
England defeated Canada 6-1 today with all the goals coming in the second half, including a hat trick from Jane Smith. Canada can take some positive thoughts from the scoreless first half. Although England dominated play, the Canadian defence was solid, anchored by the outstanding play of Sarah Forbes in goal. She made 6 fine saves in the half, including an unbelievable blocker stop while lying flat on the ground and the England striker facing an open net. Canada's opportunities in the first half were limited to a long corner in the 23rd minute and two chances from open play in the 27th minute. England dominated the second half, finally scoring off the third of three successive penalty corners. Jane Smith deflected a hard shot to the far post for the first of her three. England continued their strong play scoring two more goals from penalty corners (they had nine in the second half alone) with the other three coming from free play. Kate Walsh scored a magnificent goal in the 46th minute by diving across the top of the circle and tomahawking a shot high into the net while lying full on the ground. Canada's fortunes improved dramatically with the appearance of a "streaker" - he had a small English flag strategically placed - in the 65th minute, just as they were preparing for the second of their two penalty corners in the half. After order had been restored (and unauthorized personnel escorted from the field!), Kristen Taunton pushed the ball out to Emily Rix who stopped it for a strong Meggan Hunt shot low on the goalie's stick side. However, England responded immediately with two more goals, in the 66th and 68rd minutes, the latter completing Jane Smith's hat trick. Canada now plays New Zealand tomorrow night in their final pool game. |
Report from Morley Jameson: Starting line up: Agulay - Wong - Faust, Rushton, Hunt - Taunton, Jameson, Tingley - Grimes - Cuthbert, Johnson
Canada's fate had already been decided when they took to the pitch for their final pool game versus New Zealand. By virtue of England's 1-1 tie with India, Canada could do no better than 4th place. Perhaps this allowed them to relax a little and concentrate on good hockey which they did for the most part. With a slightly different starting line-up than in previous games Canada opened strongly, pushing the ball forward and having much of the play. Their hard work paid off at 4' with their first penalty corner. A Meggan Hunt shot off the stop was deflected wide. The resulting long corner then generated a second penalty corner. However, New Zealand intercepted, broke all the way down the field only to be thwarted due to the efforts of Andy Rushton and Steph Jameson on the back tackle. Although New Zealand received a penalty corner at 8', Canada defended well and broke back the other way. They were rewarded as Deb Cuthbert scored a fine goal from a scramble, after a free hit from just outside the circle. New Zealand responded with pressure of their own and Sue Tingley was given a Green Card at 14'. Shortly after, Becky Price just missed finishing a good run with the ball going off the end line. New Zealand continued to take over the play resulting in a number of opportunities. Finally, at 25' Jaimee Provan's deflection of a penalty corner shot leveled the score. Canada began to pressure the Kiwi defenders late in the half and even a questionable Yellow Card to Deb Cuthbert did not deter them. As time expired they were given a penalty corner, but a Grimes to Wong, shot by Meggan Hunt was just deflected wide. New Zealand began the second half strongly. A Sarah Forbes save at 38' led to a penalty corner. The resulting shot hit Meggan Hunt in the face where she dropped to the ground immediately and play was stopped. Meggan received 24 stitches above and beside the eye, but X-rays showed no fracture and she was back in the Village later in the evening. New Zealand forced another penalty corner at 41' off a Canadian turn-over. The first shot was stopped by Forbes, but Niniwa Roberts-Lang put in the rebound for a 2-1 lead. Play was generally even through the middle part of the second half. Sarah Forbes made two fine saves at 45' after a great run by the New Zealand back. At 46' Emily Rix was given a Yellow Card, but the resulting penalty corner was shot wide. Another Kiwi penalty corner at 50' was blocked and Forbes made a diving stick check at 53' to thwart another attack. Canada had their own chances with attacks at 44' and 51'. After a Canadian long corner at 58', New Zealand's #5 was given a Yellow Card. However, shortly afterwards, Moira Senior's shot from just outside the circle ricocheted like a pinball and through Forbes' legs for the insurance goal. Canada did have two more penalty corners late in the half, both times utilizing their third option of hitting the ball from the goalie's left directly outside the hash marks, then driving the ball back into the circle. However, no damage was done either time. On the second attempt "Beaner" Grimes put the ball strongly across in front of the goalkeeper, but no Canadian was there to deflect it. Canada pressed in the remaining minutes, but a final hit from outside the circle went harmlessly off the end line. So Canada ends pool play at 0-3, not the result they would like. Except for the second half of the England game, they were very competitive and, with a few breaks, could have seen a different finish. They now play a weak Malaysian team (who lost 18-0 to Australia in their final game) for 7/8th places on Thursday. |
Report from Morley Jameson:
First game appearance: 13', Cuthbert, Johnson - 15', Rezanson - 36', Agulay Canada defeated Malaysia 5-0 today to claim 7th place at the Commonwealth Games. The game started slowly with Canada maintaining possession and waiting patiently for their opportunities. At 11' a Steph Jameson hit into the circle resulted in a fine goal by Kristen Taunton for the lead they would never relinquish. Malaysia's opportunities were quite limited, with only two penalty corners being awarded in the game, both early in the first half. Neither resulted in a shot on goal, and neither Sarah Forbes nor Amy Agulay needed to make any saves. From the middle of the first half on, Canada dominated play and were awarded a series of penalty corners and long corners. At 23', using their third penalty corner option, Deb Cuthbert pushed the ball out from the goalie's left to Aoibhinn Grimes, outside the 5m line, who relayed to Julia Wong at the top of the circle. Her shot to the near post was smartly deflected by Jenny Johnson for Canada's second goal. A minute later, another Steph Jameson ball into the circle was deflected high into the net by Grimes. Just as the half ended, another penalty corner forced the Malaysian goalie to make a fine, toe save off Becky Price. Canada continued to dominate in the second half, exploiting weaknesses in the Malaysian defence. The Canadian backs made some fine, penetrating passes to the forwards, while the mid-fielders distributed the ball well. Johnson, at right mid, found space a number of times, which created several scoring opportunities. At 41' a Taunton/Price combined run resulted in a shot clanging off the post, and Price just missed on a deflection a short time later. Canada were rewarded another series of penalty corners late in the second half. At 63' an Andy Rushton flick crashed off the crossbar but stayed out. Steph Jameson, subbing for the injured Meggan Hunt in the penalty corner battery, nailed a hit which Sue Tingley, in great position, deflected high into the net. A minute later, after another great run by Johnson, Tingley scored again from free play. Overall, Canada played good hockey in the tournament, with their only poor half being the second against England. They can take some solace in the fact that India, to whom they only lost 1-0, play in the final on Saturday (against England, who upset Australia in semi final!). |
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