Poland stun Canada in Champions Challenge Play-Offs
Thomasz Dutkiewicz scored a golden goal in the third minute of extra-time to clinch a 3-2 victory for Poland over Canada in the minor placing playoffs at the Champions Challenge hockey on Friday.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: December 03, 2011 10:39 AM IST
Thomasz Dutkiewicz scored a golden goal in the third minute of extra-time to clinch a 3-2 victory for Poland over Canada in the minor placing playoffs at the Champions Challenge hockey on Friday.
Poland's victory secured it a playoff with Malaysia for the fifth and sixth spots, after Malaysia rallied to defeat Japan 2-1.
Canada will meet Japan in the playoff for the seventh and eighth spots.
Poland's gritty display underlined the threat they could pose, and the impact was today felt by Canada. Both these teams feature in the New Delhi Olympic Qualifier in February for a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games for which hosts India will be a contender.
Poland and Canada were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation period. Poland's goals came through Artur Mikula (26th minute) and Waldemar Rataj (33rd), while Canada scored through Iain Smythe (13th) and Jagdish Gill (30th).
Malaysia rode on two goals from young striker Faizal Saari in the 53rd and 58th minutes after trailing by a goal at half-time.
Japan opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a field goal from Kazuyuki Ozawa before Malaysia struck back in the second half.
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