Canada win first Dubai Invitational

Canada have won the first Dubai Invitational on points difference after a three-way tie with USA and France.

Published by John Birch, April 3rd, 2021

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Canada win first Dubai Invitational

Canada won the Dubai Invitational by the narrowest of margins – their points difference being just one point better than the USA over the six matches in the two-day tournament.

The first Dubai Invitational was played as a single round-robin with no playoff final for the seven teams taking part.

USA, France and Canada were on a different level to the rest of the teams in the tournament. The last year has clearly seen no narrowing of the gulf between the World Series teams and the rest – if anything the gap has perhaps grown.

France entered two teams to try to give as many players as much game time as possible ahead of their Olympic Qualifier later this year. But on this form they have little to worry about – they and Russia should comfortably wrap up their places in Tokyo.

They were on top against USA in the opening game, but allowed the Americans to come back and steal the game – and those final few minutes were ultimately crucial for the tournament’s outcome. On the second day they appear to have learnt from the game were more clinical against Canada.

That game was Canada’s only slip-up, and they will be delighted to have beaten their neighbours in the final match.

Elsewhere Brazil will be encouraged by their 3-3 record against likely Olympic rivals, but they were well beaten by the top three. Japan and Kenya, on the other hand, lost every game against the other teams, Japan just winning what proved to be the decider for the bottom spot by a single score. Losing to the French second string in particular shows that both teams have a long way to go if they are to avoid meeting again for 12thplace at the Olympics.

On the positive side the race for medals at the Olympics looks like being very exciting indeed. Based on this weekend and Madrid in February, there is little to choose between USA, Canada, France and Russia. With Australia and New Zealand added to that mix there is a lot to look forward to.

Results

France 14-22 United States; Japan 19-14 Kenya; Canada 36-14 Brazil; France 21-10 France2; United States 43-12 Japan; Kenya 5-38 Canada; Brazil 19-14 France2; France 26-0 Japan; United States 45-7 Kenya; France2 0-33 Canada; Japan 10-31 Brazil; Kenya 5-17 Brazil; United States 31-7 France2; France 29-12 Canada; France2 31-12 Kenya; Japan 5-31 Canada; United States 36-7 Brazil; France 17-5 Kenya; France 31-12 Brazil; Japan 5-14 France2; United States 14-31 Canada

Squads

Brazil:Squad not published.

Canada:Delaney Aikens; Elissa Alarie; Olivia Apps; Brittany Benn; Pamphinette Buisa ; Emma Chown; Caroline Crossley ; Bianca Farella ; Julia Greenshields; Asia Hogan-Rochester; Sara Kaljuvee; ; Ghislaine Landry ; Kaili Lukan; Kayla Moleschi; Breanne Nicholas; Karen Paquin ; Florence Symonds; Keyara Wardley; Charity Williams

France/France 2:Montserrat Amedee; Coralie Bertrand; Anne-Cécile Ciofani; Doriane Constanty; Mathilde Coutouly; Célia Dranes; Caroline Drouin; Teani Feleu; Camille Grassineau; Joanna Grisez; Lina Guerin; Fanny Horta; Shannon Izar; Chloé Jacquet; Nassira Konde; Valentine Lothoz; Romane Menager; Carla Neisen; Séraphine Okemba; Chloé Pelle; Lina Queyroi; Jade Ulutule; Yolaine Yengo

Japan:Yume Ohkuroda; Mei Ohtani; Mele Yua Havili Kagawa; Marin Kajiki; Mifuyu Koide; Mayu Shimizu; Sayaka Suzuki; Honoka Tsutsumi; Hana Nagata     ; Chiharu Nakamura; Wakaba Hara; Yume Hirano; Haruka Hirotsu; Rinka Matsuda; Ayumi Yabuuchi; Mio Yamanaka

Kenya:Philadelphia Olando (C), Sheila Chajira, Celestine Masinde Camilla Cynthia, Christabel Lindo, Enid Ouma, Janet Okello, Diana Awino, Leah Wambui, Sarah Oluche, Naomi Amuguni, Stella Wafula, Judith Auma, Linet Moraa, Sinaida Aura, Terry Ayes

USA:Sui A’au, Lauren Doyle, Abby Gustaitis (co-capt.), Nicole Heavirland, Kristi Kirshe, Ilona Maher, Jordan Matyas, Alena Olsen, Ariana Ramsey, Stephanie Rovetti, Naya Tapper, Kris Thomas (co-capt.)

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