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Americas

The Trinidad and Tobago men's hockey team had to settle for fourth place in the 2004 Pan American Cup as they lost to Chile in their third place playoff yesterday in London, Canada.

The Chileans defeated the Caribbean side 2-1 yesterday to improve by one place on their placing in the inaugural edition of the competition, thanks to a double from captain Felipe Montegu.

And Argentina replaced Cuba as Pan American Cup champs, earning themselves an automatic berth for the 2006 World Cup with a win over the hosts by a similar margin.

Despite the loss though, the T&T stickmen earned their best placing in a Pan American tournament in 27 years, when they grabbed hockey silver in the first-ever Pan American Games in 1967.

After gaining the advantage in the 15th minute, with captain Kwandwane Browne flicking high past goalkeeper Rodrigo Hernandez into the Chilean net, T&T seemed likely to sneak away with the bronze. But Chile kept on the pressure, until they got the equaliser in the 27th minute from Montegu with a low flick past Glen Francis in the T&T goal and scores remained tied at 1-1 at the half.

At the resumption, T&T got on the offensive early, but it was Chile who forged ahead from the stick of Montegu in the 44th minute. The Chileans pulled all 11 men back to defend their advantage, which they did successfully for the 2-1 win.

In the final against the Canadians, Argentina got first half strikes from Jorge Lombi in the ninth minute, and Tomas Mac Cormik two minutes from the half to put Argentina well in front. The Argentines' strong defence also held off a persistent Canadian team for most of the game, as the hosts did not get a shot on goal in the first 49 minutes of play.

The Argentines seemed content to defend their position, and it took Canada until the final minute to get on the scoresheet with a goal from Connor Grimes. But by then, it was too late as the South Americans walked away with a 2-1 win and the Cup.

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