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India was on a roll after winning their first three games against Singapore, Italy and France, while Canada was in a must-win situation because of their loss to Poland. The match started in the usual deafening support from the home crowd and India immediately forced a penalty-corner, but it was well stopped by Antoni KINDLER in the Canadian goal, then cleared to safety.

The Canadians were under pressure but mounted a few swift counter-attacks, with one ending with Mark PEARSON in good position but his attempt was thwarted by Sreejesh PARATTU RAVEENDRA in the Indian goal. The match became more balanced; India was playing with some caution, moving forward with speedy individual runs, while Canada was progressing more methodically with patient build-up in midfield.

India scrambled a penalty-corner and Canada started to be more entrepreneurial, under the stewardship of veterans Rob SHORT and Ken PEREIRA. But Shivendra SINGH managed to steal a ball from a Canadian defender and slam it in past the Canadian goal-keeper to open the Indian tally. Canada pushed for the equalizer in the final minutes of the half, but to no avail, and India went into the break with a narrow one-goal lead.

Antoni KINDLER was called into action three times in quick succession in the Canadian goal at the beginning of second period, before Sandeep SINGH sank a low penalty-corner flick to push the score to a more comfortable 2-0. Canada intensified their patient build-up and were rewarded when Mark PEARSON scored from close range. Immediately after, Canada forced a penalty-corner and Scott TUPPER slotted it low to tie the score!

India had another penalty-corner but Sandeep SINGH’s flick was spectacularly countered by first runner Mark PEARSON. Tempers flared in the last ten minutes of this very entertaining match, pushing and shoving were exchanged, the umpires were having a hard time keeping control of the match and a controversial penalty-corner was offered to India, for another goal by Sandeep SINGH to rebuild their one-goal lead.

Canada tried until the end to close the gap once more, but ran out of time.   Canada are now left with a very hard road to reach the Final on Sunday.  They must win Friday's match against France - and count on India to defeat Poland on Friday.

NEXT MATCH

Friday at 16:00 vs. France
(2:30 am PST, 5:30 am EST)