Report by Omar Rawji
In the final match of the 7 Test Super Series in Surrey, BC, featuring Canada and India, the Canadians produced on penalty corners. Unfortunately, they left a number of other scoring chances on the field, and India came away with their 6th win of the series after a 3-2 result on Saturday.
Following India’s third goal, Canada applied waves of pressure on the opposition’s defense and with only two minutes remaining, Pete Short carried the ball into the D, passing it to crowd favorite, Gabbar Singh. Singh wasted no time hammering a backhand that just was saved by the goalie.
In the first half, already down 1-0 in the 15th minute, Mark Erickson cracked a ball in towards Connor Meakin who dove to deflect a dangerous ball on net. Once Canada had tied it up on the 26th minute penalty corner goal, Phil Wright created a glorious chance for himself, first tackling the ball off India’s defense and then putting it on net. Just a few moments later, Dave Jameson would have a couple of glorious chances in close.
“It was a beautiful pass through by Jeevers (Ranjeev Deol), touched on by Philly (Wright) beautifully right to me. Then I was one-on-one with the goalie. The ball was too close to me, and tried to sweep it. Instead of going for the corner, I went right at him. Then I got another chance. I tried to chip over him but it was too close to me and I put it right at him,” said Jameson. “You know, when you get those chances, you’ve got to put them away.”
Canada’s Head Coach Allan Brahmst echoed Jameson’s frustration: “Squandered opportunities – wide open opportunities in the first half.” Other than that, he felt that the match was pretty even, “I thought it was a crowd pleaser. Canada had quite a few chances and India had quite a few chances. It was pretty open back and forth and I thought it was a good game overall.”
After an abnormal game 6 in which they were awarded zero penalty corners, Canada came back in game 7 to regain their edge in creating three short corners to India’s two. This time, they capitalized, as Wayne Fernandes scored on two of the chances for a conversion rate of 66%.
“The first six games were tough, I mean we didn’t have any corners in the sixth game, but we had quite a few in the first five. Our ratio wasn’t very good and the last three or four days were spent just practicing them and I’m glad it paid off,” said Fernandes.
On the other side, Canada defended both of India’s penalty corners well and goaltender David Carter saved both.
“We got out there quick. I think we forced them to make a quick decision where to go and they went to the stick side both times. I was reading it a lot better than I was in the past so I was able to make some easy saves off it,” said Carter.
Connor Meakin and Adam Froese were two young players who performed well on Saturday and earned praise from the coach.
Overall, the 7 match series against India was a positive experience for Canada, despite the 0-6-1 record, and once the team and coaching staff analyze the results, we will write more on this.
Scoring Summary:
21’ – IND Singh, Prabjot (FG) 1-0 India
26’ – CAN Fernandes, Wayne (PC) 1-1
31’ – IND Chandi, Gurwinder (FG) 2-1 India
46’ – CAN Fernandes, Wayne (PC) 2-2
49’ – IND Khandker, Tushar (FG) 3-2 India
More than a few aspects of game 6 left Team Canada disgruntled, as they lost by a score of 3-1 to India. The first was the fact that they had a good opportunity to win their first match of the series but let it go as the game wound down.
Starting the second half down 1-0 despite having more of the ball in the first, the Canadians applied pressure early. In the 39th minute,
Ranjeev Deol took a great feed from Gabbar Singh and just missed the top of the net on a beautiful backhand shot. Then in the 48th minute, after a strong push, Canada was awarded a penalty stroke when India dangerously played the ball with a high stick inside the D. Canada’s Singh tied the game at 1-1 with a shot to the stick side that just squeaked in.The remainder of the game was a little sloppy for the home side, and India’s Sarwanjit Singh scored the backbreaking go ahead goal off a costly turnover in the 57th minute. This seemed to deflate the Canadians and there was no strong reply on this day.
Part of the problem was the umpiring, which for not the first time in the 7 Test Series, was not up to standards. The refs appeared to have particular trouble with the self-pass rule and the five yard birth on aerial passes, and many players were visibly irritated.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating, and we’ve got to do something about it,” said Canada’s Head Coach Allan Brahmst. “But they are trying their best and doing what they’re doing.”
The coach strongly felt that Canada squandered game 6: “It was 1-1, we had a bit of the flow and we had some opportunities but then we simply threw the game away by being not very calm out of the back and playing it into them… caused turnovers and counters; we can’t play like that.”
Matt Peck started his second game of the series in net for Canada and he made a number of good saves to keep his team within striking distance. In the 37th minute, on a penalty corner, he stopped the low stick side flick attempt and then robbed India of what appeared to be a certain goal on the rebound. And in the 67th minute, he would make an even more spectacular save on an Arjun Halappa shot coming from the top of the circle to keep the game within one goal.
Canada was awarded zero penalty corner opportunities, while India had six. The visitors scored on none of those chances, however, as Canada played them aggressively and nullified the lethal shot of Sandeep Singh.
It was a big night for three Canadian players as they reached important milestones with the international squad. Ian Smyth played in his first match wearing Canadian colours, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“It was a phenomenal feeling. It’s like you dream all about, playing in front of the home crowd, and I had a wonderful time. It’s a great group of guys and we threw it all out there.” Very early in the match, Smyth nearly wrote a storybook debut, as he took a diving shot on a cross from Scott Sandison.
“I saw it go in. I swear it went in, but the goalie just got a piece of it and curled it wide,” said Smyth.
Both Ranjeev Deol and Scott Sandison earned their 150th caps, and they were both proud to have done so for their country.
“It feels great. Everytime we step on the field for Canada it’s a great feeling. You’re playing for your country – you’re playing for the Leaf,” said Deol.
“It’s an honour to be out here with these guys for 150 times, that’s for sure,” said Sandison, though his mind was stuck on the result. “It was a tough day at the office really… it’s always about results, right?”
With the seventh and final game of the 7 Test Series against India coming up on Saturday, Sandison had this to say, “We’ve played really well over this series. We’ve squandered a few opportunities and now we’re looking at going down without a win, but I don’t think this group’s going to let it happen. I think we’ve got a lot of character, and I’m looking forward to the next game, really.”
With that, Canada heads into Saturday’s 2 p.m. match with a chip on their shoulder. It should be a good one.
Scoring Summary
20’ – IND Singh, Shivendra (FG) 1-0 India
47’ – CAN Singh, Gabbar (PS) 1-1
54’ – IND Singh, Sarwanjit (FG) 2-1 India
65 – IND Singh, Shivendra (FG) 3-1 India
Penalty Corners: IND 6 – CAN 0
Scott Tupper, still just a “bright-eyed 22-year-old,” as described by Yvonne Zacharias of The Vancouver Sun, assumed captaincy of the Canadian Men’s Field Hockey team for games three to five of 
the 7 Test Super Series against India. Although the assignment was temporary, since regular captain Ken Pereira was not present, it was an affirmation of Tupper’s growth as a player and as a leader on the team.
Since the beginning of September, Tupper has been away from his hometown of Vancouver, B.C., playing and honing his skills with An Der Alster of the German Bundesliga, one of the world’s premier field hockey leagues. He and fellow Canadian national team member, Mark Pearson are playing in Germany together, and although their teammates back at UBC Field Hockey miss the way the duo terrorized the Hawks and Jokers of the Vancouver league, they both feel that their time is better spent learning from and playing against some of the best the world has to offer.
“Every weekend is like an international level game,” says Tupper. “You only play each team once, so it’s really important each week that you get the points. You really get used to putting it all on the line.”
This type of experience cannot be gained back in Canada, and in a few months it will be invaluable as the national team heads to the 2010 World Cup.
No stranger to the world stage, Tupper has played 85 international matches for Canada to date, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, an experience that has certainly helped him develop into the leader he is today.
“That experience is something I draw on, whether I’m wearing the arm band on the field or in day-to-day activities with the team,” he says. “It definitely motivated me a bit more to keep working hard because it made me want to get back to tournaments like that.”
Although he will no
t captain the team come March as veteran Pereira, a player with 291 caps to his name, will be back, Tupper feels privileged to assume the role whenever called upon.
“It’s obviously an honour to have something like this bestowed upon you, especially playing at home in front of family and friends. And it’s a fun team to try and lead,” he says.
Asked about if he feels the pressure of this added responsibility Tupper replied, “Maybe a little bit, especially as I’m getting on a bit more in games. There are some new guys coming in under me that are sort of looking towards me. But I think it’s good to put that pressure on yourself, where you have to both perform and to be a good example on and off the pitch in everything you do.”
With such a mature and grounded response, he seems more than ready for what’s expected of him, which is why his coach and teammates feel comfortable with him leading the squad.
As he continues to develop as a keystone of the team, journalists will continue to search for creative descriptions. Bright-eyed, crimson-haired, powerfully built – whatever words they choose, it is clear that Scott Tupper will be making headlines at the forefront of Canada’s burgeoning program for years to come.
Note: Tupper will be away for games six and seven of the 7 Test Series, but he will return for the games against the US National Team, beginning on October 27.
October 18, 2009
Report by Omar Rawji
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Surrey, B.C., the largest crowd thus far in the 7 Test 
Super Series showed up for the fifth test match between Canada and India, and some 2,500 fans were treated to an exciting show. The end result would be a 3-1 loss for Canada, bringing their record in the series to 0-4-1, but to a man, the Canadians knew they played better and deserved a win.
Back in net for Canada for his fourth start, was Vancouver’s David Carter, who played an excellent game that included a number of strong baseline challenges that thwarted a number Indian scoring opportunities. One of his best came near the end of the match in the 68th minute when he raced the opposing right winger to a stretch pass near the sideline and seemingly hit the ball cleanly out of play.
“It was clean. I’m sure the video will show the same thing,” said an adamant Carter. Unfortunately for Canada, the referee did not see it the same way as he called a deliberate foul on Carter, awarding an automatic penalty corner to India and a chance to put a 2-1 game out of reach. On the ensuing corner, Sandeep Singh, India’s most dangerous weapon, put away yet another goal, his second of the game on a laser shot high to the blocker side.
“He picked the corner perfectly on their third goal,” said Canada’s Head Coach Alan Brahmst.
Until India’s 68th minute 3-1 marker, Canada was very much in the game and going for a win. Their goal came in the 41st minute on a scramble in front of India’s net, finished off by Dave Jameson.
“It was kind of just bumping around in the circle. The goalie batted it in my direction and I just made sure I got my stick on it and put it in the net,” said the goal-scorer, Jameson, of his play. It was an especially exciting moment for him as he had a group of supporters in attendance, who as fate would have it were sitting directly behind the net. Upon scoring, he ran over to the fence, jumping up and down in celebration as they did the same on the other side.
“He planned it out well doing it right in front of his fan club. It was more than we could’ve hoped for,” said Steph Jameson, Dave’s sister, and the self-appointed spokesperson of “DJ’s groupies”.
The goal would draw Canada to within one, but that would be their only finished chance, despite a number of other opportunities. Early on in the game Taylor Curran made a quick run up the center of the field to take a stretch feed, but he met a strong defender who spoiled his attempt. In the 16th minute, Wayne Fernandes had a penalty corner flick labeled for the top corner of the net, but India’s keeper, Adrian D’Souza robbed him with a flash of his stick.
Early in the second half, Gabbar Singh passed the ball into the left of the D to Connor Grimes, who crossed the ball just out of Jameson’s reach for a wide open shot at net. And as the clock wound down on the match, Singh set Pearson up for another great chance.
“I took a swing and I think it was going in the top corner but the defender just stopped it with his stick.” said a regretful Pearson on the chance.
Despite losing, Canada was in a optimistic mood following the game.
Peter Short, one of the team’s veterans, playing in his 126th international match, was pleased with the effort: “We were much happier with our play. It was much more intelligent all around,” he said, feeling that his team came out with more effort on Sunday. “Before the game there was a different feeling, a little more fire in the belly. We just need to concentrate on continuing that sort of energy throughout every game we play. We just have to capitalize on our chances, and that’s been the story of the series so far.”
Team Captain Scott Tupper felt the same way: “We feel like for the most part every game we’ve been doing good things but we’re just not getting the wins. Today our process was quite good, we developed some chances and controlled a lot of the play but there were couple of calls that didn’t go our way.”
Head Coach Alan Brahmst is not concerned with wins and losses, rather, the experience that his team is gaining: “We’re here to do some things, learn some things and play tactically better as we move through this. We want to give exposure to some of the young guys, and we’re doing exactly that. It’s more about the process right now and it’s more about giving confidence to the guys that we can do some good things without our big guns.” He also singled out Scott Sandison and Mark Erickson for displaying especially strong efforts.
With five games under their belt against one of the world’s most potent offensive teams, the experience has been positive so far, and in the words of David Carter, “We can only build from here, right?”
Game 6 takes place on Thursday October 29th, at 6:00pm in Surrey.
Scoring Summary:
29’ – IND Mujtaba, Danish (FG) – 1-0 India
35’ – IND Singh, Sandeep (PC) – 2-0 India
41’ – CAN Jameson, David (FG) – 2-1 India
68’ – IND Singh, Sandeep (PC) – 3-1 India
Penalty Corners: CAN 4 – IND 4
Photo by Neil Hodge
October 16, 2009
By Omar Rawji
Game 4 of the 7 Test Super Series between Canada and India featured two deliberate, patient teams.
“Our energy started late. We were flat,” was the explanation given by Alan Brahmst, Canada’s head coach.
The first 35 minutes was especially plodding as neither team was willing to take chances, choosing rather to sit back and wait for mistakes from the other side. Aside from Canada’s three penalty corner opportunities in the half, their best chance came in the 15th minute on a strong run by Mark Pearson, who crossed a ball through that just missed Connor Grimes for the finish.
Canada made one mistake in the half that would cost them dearly. Off the turnover, India’s Gurwinder Chandi rushed in alone on goalkeeper Matt Peck, who attacked the ball and inadvertently tripped up the player, leading to a Penalty Stroke. Vikram Pillay would make no mistake, shooting high blocker side, and putting his team up 1-0.
The second half featured more chances from both teams. India created pressure early and were rewarded just three minutes in as Rajpal Singh scored a field goal for a 2-0 lead.
Canada created a number of chances to get themselves back in the match. A 46th minute cross by Gabbar Singh from outside the D was just missed on the touch by Curran Taylor, and four minutes later Phil Wright hit a blistering shot that flew just past the goalie’s stick side post.
Once again Team Canada held the edge in penalty corners 6-2, but neither team was able to capitalize on these chances.
“Our corner is not working. We’re 3 for 21 in the series,” said Brahmst. “Usually it’s our strength, but we’re having big problems.” Canada did come very close on two of attempts, however. The first one was a clean drag flick in the 62nd minute.
“The goalie just barely made the save,” said the shooter, Wayne Fernandes. Five minutes later, in the 66th minute, he would have another crack at the ball. This time off a broken corner, his shot hit the post after being deflected by Pearson.
Scott Tupper, playing as Canada’s captain since both Rob Short and Ken Pereira returned to their club teams in Europe, had these thoughts on the game: “It was probably the lowest level we’ve played at throughout the series, which is disappointing. We really couldn’t get in any rhythm out there.” Asked if India’s new formations were a factor, Tupper was not about to shirk any of the blame saying, “This one was on us, it’s not really about what they were doing.”
“I’m more worried about us than India at this point,” echoed Brahmst. “We didn’t do a good job of reading their intentions. We weren’t double teaming very well, and we allowed them space down the sidelines. We were missing three guys (in Short, Pereira, and Paul Wettlaufer) who have about 900 combined caps between them, and it made a difference.”
This was the first game of the series in which David Carter did not play in net for Team Canada, as Matt Peck was given the start, and Brahmst felt satisfied with the effort: “I think he did a fine job, the goals were a shot and a stroke off a bad giveaway.”
Captain Tupper and his teammates will surely be ready for game 5: “Going into Sunday we should be able to get that first win of the series.”
Scoring Summary
22’ – IND Pillay, Vikram (PS)
38’ – IND Singh, Rajpal (FG)
Penalty Corners: CAN 6 – IND 2
