Canada Upsets Hong Kong In World Teams Backdraw, To Face Pakistan by Danny Da Costa June 13, 2013 - OTTAWA (ON)
– The Canadian Men’s National Squash Team faced another close match
today in the 9-16 consolations playoffs at the World Men’s Team
Championships in Mulhouse, France, as they upset the tournament #10
seeds Hong Kong.
After yesterday’s loss to the heavily favoured Egyptians, the young
Canadians were looking to capitalize on their good showing against the
World’s best and ride that momentum into the Hong Kong match. Dane
Sharp started off the action in the #2 spot, taking on Hong Kong’s Leo
Au. After jumping ahead in the match with an 11-4 win in the first,
Dane fell three straight 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 to give the match to Au.
Shawn Delierre faced Max Lee for what was expected to be a close second
match, as both are ranked within the World Top-40. Knowing Canada
needed the win in this match to force a third, Delierre came out strong
with an 11-5 opening game win. Despite a strong effort from Lee in the
second, Delierre was able to fend him off and take the straight game
win 12-10 and 11-5 to tie the encounter at 1.
It all came down to David Letourneau, the 24 year old from Calgary who
is competing in his first World Team Championships, taking on Cheuk Yan
Tang. Letourneau has played solid squash throughout the event, and
started off the same with a strong 11-1 win. His confidence and good
play continued, as he too was able to finish the match in straight
games and secure the win for Canada.
Team Canada looks forward to their next match on Friday, which will
pits them against 14th seed Pakistan. Despite falling off in world
rankings as of late, Pakistan was once a dominant force in
international squash. Their last medal was in 1995, but Pakistan has
finished in the Top-3 on 12 occasions, including 4-straight World Team
Titles from 1981-1987.
This match against Pakistan will be tough but winnable for Canada, who
hopes to secure their spot in the 9th place playoff on Saturday.
