CANADA AND BRAZIL SEEK TO DETHRON U.S. IN WATER POLO

Canada and the United States have booked their place in the women’s final, while Brazil will face the United States for the men’s gold medal.

In the women’s semifinal, the United States secured its place in the final with a resounding victory over Argentina 27-1. The current five-time Pan American champions and three-time Olympic champions reach the final with only 5 scores against and 128 for. They also reach the final undefeated, positioning themselves as favorites to win another gold medal.

“I think it was a complete match, each of us had a good game and we scored a lot of goals in different ways. I’m happy with the defense we did throughout the competition, we have the “Lucky to have Ashleigh Jhonson and Amanda Longan who are some of the best goalkeepers in the world. Now we are going for gold, we are here to win, we are here to play the best we can and we want to win tomorrow.” said Maggie Steffens, captain of the United States.

In the other direction, the Canadian women’s team beat Brazil 21-4. The match even seemed like a preview, but the Canadians put in a strong performance that secured them a place in the final and will compete for direct access to the Olympic Games against the United States. For its part, Brazil will have to face Argentina in the fight for bronze.

“There has always been a strong rivalry between Canada and the United States. We hope to have a good match against them and win gold. They are a strong team, they have strong tactics and players in all aspects. “They have proven that they are among the best in the world, so I think it is important to make sure we remember that and prepare for that,” said Emma Wright, Canadian captain.

MEN’S SEMI-FINAL

In the men’s semi-final, Brazil beat Canada 13-12. The Brazilian team won with a goal 30 seconds from time, making the Aquatics Center crowd explode. With this victory, Brazil secured a medal and another podium, a situation that has been repeated since the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.

“It was a very difficult match, they have a very good individual technical level, but we made the difference in the last seconds. Now we have to rejoice in this victory and then plan how we will play the final, which will be very complicated. It was very nice that the South Americans who were watching supported us, because among them there are coaches who worked with me at the Olympic Games and whom I like very much,” said Brazilian Gustavo Guimaes.

Ultimately, in the second men’s semifinal, Team USA comfortably defeated Argentina 22-7. The American team is the big favorite after winning the last seven editions of the Pan American Games.

“We were in very good shape, both defensively and offensively. It was a tough match, but the first objective was achieved, now let’s think about the final and we will go for gold,” said American Benjamin Hallock.

The next duel could be historic for Los Yacarés, as the Argentine team will have the chance to win a medal after 60 years when they won their last bronze medal in Sao Paulo in 1963.

“We know that we have a big backpack, because it has been many years without winning medals in polo, but we will take it responsibly and hope that everything goes as well as possible tomorrow,” commented Tomás Echenique, captain of the Argentine team.

With these victories, the women’s teams of the United States and Canada, as well as the men’s teams of the United States and Brazil, have already secured their place at the next World Swimming Championships to be held in Doha in 2024.

All definitions will be tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. at the National Stadium Aquatic Center. The women’s bronze medal match between Argentina and Brazil will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the final between the United States and Canada will begin at 12:30 p.m. The men’s third place match between Canada and Argentina will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the match that closes water polo at Santiago 2023 between the United States and Brazil will take place at 8:30 p.m.

Written by Alfredo Albornoz