Field Hockey Canada
1998 Men's World Cup
Utrecht, Holland
May 20 / June 1

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Thursday May 28

Did you know ? Ian Bird, who is playing so well in this World Cup, was paid special tribute this year in his home province of British Columbia: he was awarded the Harry Jerome Award (B.C. Comeback Athlete of the Year). Ian was injured at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and his injury kept him out of elite hockey until recently. Day 9 of competition Final day of pool games for the men. Even though part of the hierarchy was already settled, there were still a few very meaningful and dramatic matches! Qualification for the semi-final is obviously the ultimate goal but reaching the 5-8 play-off is not negligible: finishing in the top 6 qualifies you directly for the next World Cup (remember: Canada had to go through TWO qualifying tournaments this time around!) and could also mean an invitation to the Champions Trophy! In pool "B", the Australia-Pakistan game would decide a berth in the semi-final. It was a high drama game but the Aussies proved too strong for a Pakistani side where Shabbaz was very discrete. Striker Jay Stacy scored twice and Australia folded the game when they scored twice in less than a minute just before half-time! In the second half, the first red card of the tournament was given to Pakistani defender Naveed Alam for rough play (he had already received a yellow card for the same reason a few minutes earlier). In this pool, Australia and Spain are through to the semi-finals (they tied each other but Australia finishes on top thanks to their trashing of Poland and Malaysia 8-0), Pakistan and England will play in the 5-8 play-off. In pool "A", everything was still up for grabs for the bottom 4 teams and they were all ready to fight hard. Korea only lost to Germany 1-2. Late at night, in front of another packed house (more than 15,000!), Holland-New Zealand was another brilliant display of hockey. If the kiwis could lose by only one goal, they would make it through to the 5-8 play off. In a style rather similar to the Canadians, they decided to play boldly and try to seize this chance. So, instead of retreating in a tight defense, they tried… to score one less goal than the orange armada. They nearly succeeded (4-2) and pleased a crowd that cheered both teams very loudly. Even after a week of competition here, I still have tears coming to my eyes when I hear this crowd, 15,000 strong, roar with pleasure when a player executes a fancy technical trick, shout loudly when an attack is under way, sing, clap, do the "wave" and generally thoroughly enjoy the display of amazing hockey. Some of the younger players of the Canadian Women's National Team are here, watching all of this with amazement; yesterday, they were desperately trying to find tickets for the final days. Whatever your previous plans were, nobody now wants to miss the "bouquet final" of the fireworks! Then, yesterday, there was Canada-India! Canada is fast becoming a popular team at the World Cup of field hockey (after the host team Holland, of course!): after the awesome come-back from a two-goal deficit against the mighty Germans (final score: 4-4), their bold and open style of play earned them a stunning but well deserved victory over India (final score: 4-1). The two teams started the game nervously and the two umpires had to talk to the Captains and distribute a few warning cards to cool tempers. The Canadians seemed to steady their game first and the Indian fans in the stands, clapping to the sound of traditional drums, tried to put some life in their team. The game was going back and forth and the Indian forwards were perhaps given a bit too much space, exactly what they like to let loose their speed and flashiness. Taking advantage of a yellow card (temporary suspension) to Peter Milkovich, the Indians opened the score (21st minute) but it only took three minutes for Rob Short to level it at 1-1. At half time with the score still tied, everything was still possible… for both sides. You could nearly feel the pressure in the Canadian Team (and in the large Canadian contingent in the stands): a draw would not be enough! Marek Gacek didn't let the suspense last too long, deflecting a free hit in goal to make it 2-1. Canadian Defense This triggered a flurry of Indian attacks that challenged the Canadian defense (now referred to as the BBBR Brigade: Burrows- Bird- Brahmst- Roberts) but they held tight. Mike Mahood in goal managed some great saves and even stopped an Indian forward on a 1 on 1 breakaway. He also got a little help from the goal posts on two occasions: a brilliant play from star forward Dhanraj Pillay (otherwise kept under tight control by veteran Canadian Patrick Burrows) and a penalty-stroke that rebounded from the crossbar. Patrick Burrows and Dhanraj Pillay            Canada on the attack! This was a bit too much for all the Canadian hearts in the stadium and the guys in red proceeded to give themselves a little cushion: on a penalty corner, Peter Milkovich placed a jewel of a ball right under the crossbar (47th minute, score: 3-1). Then a ball was deflected to Chris Gifford and he made no mistake and increased the lead at the 65th minute. The score could have been even higher when Robin D'Abreo, after a long run and a perfect fake on his opponent, saw his shot go only a few inches wide. Five minutes to go and Canada was leading India 4-1! The Indian drums were now beating a funeral march and a few older Indian men were seen leaving the stadium crying… The Canadian crowd, on the other side, started to chant "Good Bye" and enjoyed the last few minutes of this historic game. India - Canada : 1 - 4 (detail) The game is over! It's Heineken time!! Ken Pereira Hari Kant This puts Canada in 3rd place in Pool A; they are now qualified for the 5 to 8 play-off and have already secured the best Canadian placing at a Men's World Cup of field hockey! At the end of the game, the Canadian players, after a well deserved victory lap with a Maple Leaf flag, jump in the stands for endless emotional hugs with family, friends and all the numerous supporters who had made the long journey from Canada to cheer them on. At the post game press conference, Coach Shiaz Virjee could say "I think that this is the greatest day in the history of men's field hockey in Canada. The result is a boost to field hockey in our country!" In this pool, Germany and Holland are through to the semi-finals, Canada and Korea will play in the 5-8 play-off, only missed by New Zealand by one little goal. India is at the bottom of the pile and the Indian journalists in the Press Center are working hard to find yet another explanation for this dismal finish… Canada now plays England in the cross-over while the semi-final will group the same 4 teams as in Atlanta for the Olympic Games: Holland, Spain, Australia and Germany (who finished in this order).       CANADIAN CORNER !       Aoibhinn GRIMES and Lisa FAUST, both from British Columbia and the Women's National Team. Lisa is getting married just after the World Cup to Canadian player Rick Roberts. The wedding will be celebrated right here in Holland and the pair was the subject of an article in the "Utrechts Nieuwsblad"

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