Brazil win UANA Cup

Both finalists fought tirelessly in the lowest scoring but most competitive game of the tournament with neither leading by more than two goals throughout the match. Canada opened the scoring but the South Americans, who were beaten 8-4 by Canada earlier in the tournament, took control of the match and held their opponents at bay to eke out the win.

Brazil had on Friday night defeated Argentina 11-6 in the semifinal while Canada had pummelled Trinidad and Tobago 20-1 to advance to the final.

Leon Daniel managed to get on the score-sheet for TT in that defeat.

In yesterday’s earlier game to determine third/fourth placings, hosts Trinidad and Tobago took on Argentina in another rough outing. Argentina, unsurprisingly, were comfortable winners 20-3 after getting past TT 19-2 in the round robin phase of the Cup. Goals for the twin island republic yesterday were scored by captain Kris Thomas, in the first quarter, followed by Leon Daniel and Russell Ferreira copping one each in the fourth.

Speaking to Newsday after the tournament was head coach of TT, Andrew Francis, who summed up his players’ performance throughout the Cup.

“Even though we had a nervous start to the tournament and had first game jitters, the (guys) lacked aggression and determination towards the battle.

However, while that was a disappointing aspect, we needed to restructure, recognise our mistakes and work towards improving on our game,” he said.

Francis noted though, “the guys responded magnificently to the changes and the tasks which were handed to them and there was a significant improvement especially in defence and their movement off the ball (offensively and defensively).” Francis expressed his enthusiasm towards working with the current squad and other foreign- based players, as they prepare for the upcoming CCCAN Games scheduled in June at the same venue.

UANA 2017 Top Awards: Best Goalie - Solvodan Soro (Brazil) Top Scorer - German Y?nez (Argentina) Most Valuable Player - Gustavo Guimaraes (Brazil) Runners-up - Canada Winners - Brazil