Team USA edged out Canada 10:9 in the big match of the first day at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Lima. The Americans secured the win with a last-gasp goal, scored ten seconds before the end.
Australia beat Argentina 14:5, and Brazil ran over Colombia 21:5.
FINA Men’s Intercontinental Cup, Lima, Day 1
Canada – USA 9:10 (2:4,3:2,2:2,2:2)
Canada: Cote 2, Halajian 2, Blanchard 2, Schapowal 2, Spooner 1
USA: Abramson 2, Stevenson 2, Gruwell 2, Dodd 1, Farmer 1, Woodhead 1, Ehrhardt 1.
Australia – Argentina 14:5 (3:2,5:1,5:0, 1:2)
Australia: Pavillard 3, Poot 3, Edwards 3, Negus 1, Power 1, McJannett 1, Grgurevic 1,Putt 1.
Argentina: Corsi 3, Veich 1, Camnasio 1.
Brazil – Colombia 21:5 (6:1, 5:0, 10:0, 0:4)
Brazil:Guimaraes 5, Coutinho 3, Da Silva 3,Chappini 2, Vinicius 2, P.Vergara 2, De Freitas 2, Vizacre 1, R. Vergara 1.
Colombia: Bejarano 2, Vallejo 1, Sanchez 1, Salinas 1.
Canada made a good start, and took a 2:1 lead. But, Team USA responded with three straight goals and went to 4:2 before the end of the first period. The Americans led throughout the second and the third quarter, but the Canadians chased them and didn’t let the neighbors make an advantage bigger than two goals.
Canada opened the fourth period with two goals. In the 12th minute, Halaijan put the Canadians in front – 9:8. However, they didn’t manage to keep the points. Gruwell leveled at 9:9 in the 30th minute. Just 10 seconds before the buzzer, Dylan Woodhead converted a man-up for the final score – USA – Canada 10:9.
The encounter between Australia and Argentina was an even contest until 3:3. After that, the “Aussie Sharks”, led by Olympian Blake Edwards, Barceloneta’s Luke Pavillard, and Chaz Poot, produced a 10:0 run and entered the final period with a huge 13:3 lead.
Brazil was too strong for Colombia. The Brazilians had a 21:1 advantage before the last eight minutes. They let Colombia reduce the gap in the fourth quarter. Gustavo Freitas Guimaraes “Grummy”, who has gained experience playing for European clubs, was the best scorer, with five goals.
Day 2 (March 8): Argentina – Colombia, USA – Brazil, Australia – Canada.
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