Canada versus Ireland – Second Half Analysis
Following the first half had come to a monotonous end with a score at 0-0. The second round started with both squads recharged from the tiny break. The second half of the second Test of the three-match series saw the two teams retaining their previous
formations.
Likewise the first, the second half opened with neither of the teams being able to create any goal-scoring chance. The whole scenario changed in the 47thminute of the game, when Ireland earned their second penalty-corner of the day. The
Irish player stuck a low-flying drag flick hoping to past through the goal-post, but Dave Carter impressively blocked the hit and cleared the ball off the circle. Another Irish player executed a well-placed shot, but again it was saved by Carter.
The Irish team started gaining confidence in the game. Soon after the three minutes, Ireland accomplished another strike, but to no avail. Dave Carter was covering all the defending positions like an iron man. He came forward to block the ball, but
this try awarded a penalty corner to Ireland, while a yellow card to Carter.
In absence of Carter, the legendary player of Canada, namely Rob Short, was placed inside the goal as a custodian. Short wore all the protective equipments in order to stop the Irish short-corner. Canada's short-time goal-keeper could not stop the
ball at the first try, but Ireland failed to capitalise the opportunity.
The next five minutes were very hard-hitting, as Canada was playing the game without a goalie. Only ten players were fighting against Ireland's eleven. However, they succeeded to keep the Irish players far away from the goal.
With the return of Carter, the real energy of the game was reinstated. In a bid to hold the pressure, an Irish player passed the ball at top of the circle to a well-placed striker. The attacker stuck the ball powerfully in the Canadian goal, but it
was blocked by the cross bar.
An end-to-end play was observed with exchanged goal-scoring opportunities in the final fifteen minutes of the game. Canada obtained three sure goal-scoring chances in the concluding minutes, but to no avail.
It was a wonderful game from the two sides that provided a lot of entertainment to the spectators. However, the Canadians made some major mistakes in the game. After the seventy-minute play, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Canadian team would have to improve their performance prior to the Pan American Games, if they want to set a place in the 2012 London Olympics.
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