Japan crowned Hockey World League Round Two champs

Canada (11th world ranking) would have gone into the final as favourites over Japan (16th) because of their higher ranking but the quick movements and style of play of the Japanese would have always been a challenge.

The final started at a breakneck speed and both teams could have scored in the first quarter. In the sixth minute Canada`s goalkeeper David Carter made an excellent save off a flick shot from a penalty corner. Two minutes later, the Canadians came close to taking the lead when a flick shot from their own penalty corner came off the cross bar.

Canada had most of the possession with the Japanese counter attacking using a lot of plays on the flanks to spread the field. The intensity dropped a bit as both teams were patient and seemed to be waiting on their opponent’s next move which allowed the first half to end goalless.

The Canadians wasted no time in the second half as, straight from the touch off, they made an advanced move which resulted in a straight penalty for a foul in the box. The penalty was scored by Scott Tupper with a powerful shot passing a diving Suguru Shimmoto.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Kenta Tanaka scored his ninth goal of the tournament with a low powerful shot, coming from a right-sided cross, to get the equaliser for Japan. He was later awarded the tournament`s leading goal scorer as well as Most Valuable Player.

The Asians increased their dominance in the game and amplified the tempo in search of the lead and they were rewarded in the 40th minute when Takuro Sasaki slapped home a flick shot of penalty corner to give them a well-deserved lead.

Japan were satisfied with sitting back and absorbing the pressure while keeping a watchful eye on the clock. They even had a chance to extend the lead in the 58th minute through a straight penalty but Carter made the save to keep his team alive. The Canadians had an excellent chance to save the game in the dying seconds but the shot came off the post and went wide.

As the whistle blew for fulltime the Japanese celebrated their victory with their small contingent of supporters waving national flags.

The Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Comittee`s general secretary Annette Knott were present to assist in the prize-giving ceremony.

In the third/fourth place playoff, United States` goalkeeper Brandon Karess starred once again for his team to secure the bronze medal, at the expense of Russia.

He saved a straight penalty as well as four saves in the penalty shootout to give them the 2-1 penalty victory after drawing 2-2 after full-time.

After a sluggish first half the Russians wasted no time in taking the lead in the second half when Nikolay Yankun scored from a penalty corner in the 34th minute.

Karess kept his team alive by saving a straight penalty from the Russians. Ending off the third quarter veteran Pat Harris equalised through a penalty corner.

The Americans then took a 2-1 lead as Tyler Sundeen scored after some sleek passing.

The Russians made it an exciting final nine minutes as Andrey Kuraev scored in the 51st minute to tie the match 2-2.

Then, it was the Karess show as he was impressive once again in his third penalty shoot-out of the tournament by saving four out of five penalties to give the Americans victory.