Host Spain wins the group, putting Canada in danger of elimination.
In the crucial final pool play match of the FIH Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain scored five goals in the fourth quarter to win and deal a huge blow to Canada’s 2024 Olympic hopes. This result leaves Canada’s fate in the hands of an unlikely scenario, with Malaysia needing to beat England by exactly five goals to have any chance of survival.
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The match, played at a packed Valencia Stadium, entertained the audience with an intense back-and-forth between hosts Spain and Team Canada. Despite the loud and raucous environment, Canada managed to take the lead early in the first quarter. Canada scored after Anna Mollenhauer converted two penalty corner chances and deflected Sarah McManus’ shot from the top of the circle.
Canada’s Anna Mollenhauer scored the first goal of the match.Photo/Vicente Vidal Fernández
Canada defended valiantly throughout the match, making sporadic attacks on the Spanish side. Rowan Harris made a number of top-class saves in the penalty corner set to keep Canada in the lead. However, the momentum completely changed in the fourth quarter. Despite Canada’s strong defense, Spain scored four goals in quick succession and succeeded in breaking through. The strength of the Spanish side and the quality of their chances proved decisive.
In the end, it was the fourth quarter that decided the match, as Spain entertained the home crowd and finished the pool stage with a perfect record of 3-0, securing the top spot. Barring a major upset against GB/Malaysia, Canada will fall to third place in their pool, miss out on a spot in the semi-finals and end their 2024 Olympic dreams forever.
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