Several Surrey-area field hockey players are looking to book a trip to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as members of the men’s national team.
The squad earned a ticket to Japan next summer with a dramatic win over Ireland in a two-game aggregate played in West Vancouver last weekend.
The current roster boasts several athletes who either live or play in Surrey, including brothers Sukhi and Balraj Panesar, Brandon Pereira, Adam Froese, Ontario native Keegan Pereira (no relation to Brandon) and goalkeeper David Carter.
“Some of them play at Tamanawis, so Surrey is well represented,” Kevin Pereira, president of Surrey Sharks Field Hockey Club, told the Now-Leader.
Pereira’s son Brandon was injured with a sore knee and didn’t dress for Team Canada’s big win at West Van’s Rutledge Field, but he got to celebrate with teammates.
“Sunday’s game was one unlike I’ve ever seen, and the twists and turns over the two days were amazing, during the two games,” Kevin said. “It’s huge, something like this.”
FIH Hockey Olympic qualifier match 12 highlights: Canada vs Ireland#RoadToTokyo #GiftOfHockey #Tokyo2020@FieldHockeyCan @irishhockey pic.twitter.com/towHYoQW0x
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) October 28, 2019
TOKYO 2020 🔜#TeamCanada 🇨🇦 has earned their @Tokyo2020 Olympic berth with a victory over Ireland! 🤩🙌
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) October 27, 2019
Watch the moment they secured their spot at the Olympics ⬇️
pic.twitter.com/Pseg3itoYF
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Ireland came into the contest with a 5-3 aggregate lead from the first match, but a last-second penalty stroke from Scott Tupper gave the Canadians a 3-1 win in the second leg to force a shoot-out in which the Canadians emerged as winners.
“It’s was unbelievably crazy,” Balraj Panesar said Wednesday. “It still hasn’t settled in fully, and we’re still trying to enjoy the moment.”
CLICK HERE to read a full game report posted to Field Hockey Canada’s website.
His brother Sukhi played at the Rio Games in 2016, but 2020 would be a first-time Olympics experience for Balraj.
“The competition to be on the team will be tight and tough,” he said, noting the final roster won’t be solidified until about a month before the Summer Games next year.
OLYMPIC BERTH CELEBRATION
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) October 27, 2019
The emotion of the moment. @FieldHockeyCan will never forget this one. @CBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/1EMtnvGz1J
Thanks also to our friends at @CANFUND who will support our @FHC_MNT with $6000 to each player on their journey to #TOKYO2020 .... Thanks Jane and Conor!!! pic.twitter.com/Ao6CoJ9o9m
— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) October 28, 2019
Close calls, penalty shots and shootouts, #TeamCanada’s field hockey Olympic qualifier had it all 🏑
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) October 28, 2019
Read up on the win that sent @FieldHockeyCan to #Tokyo2020 👉 https://t.co/CeLyvDNa9H pic.twitter.com/rI7y7keogY
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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