Field hockey update: Canadians aiming for Rio 2016
Pan Am field hockey is a big deal for one reason: win and you’re off to Rio 2016.
Both Canadian teams are in a two-pool, eight-team tournament with Argentina being the highest-ranked nation.
The women have already met the Argentinians in pool play, downed 5-0 on Wednesday night. Canada is now 1-1 thanks to an opening 12-1 win over the Dominican Republic and will wrap their preliminary round against Mexico on Friday night. The Canadian women missed their chance to make the Olympics at World League 3 in June, so they need to win this tournament.
The Canadian men are in a pool with Chile, Mexico, and Brazil. It was a 9-1 win over Brazil on Tuesday for the home team, Chile is next up later on Thursday. Canada closes pool play against Mexico on Saturday. According to Field Hockey Canada there is a ‘good chance’ it will be a Canada vs. Argentina final. The two teams have met in the previous 10 Pan Am finals. Argentina won at Guadalajara 2011.
Tournament format
Everyone makes a quarterfinal
Seeding depends on finish in your pool:
1A vs. 4B, 2A vs. 3B, 3A vs. 2B, 4A vs. 1B
Elimination rounds are:
Women: QF – Mon, Jul 20, SF – Wed, Jul 22, Medals – Fri, Jul 24
Men: QF – Tue, Jul 21, SF – Thu, Jul 23, Medals – Sat, Jul 25
