Coaches of Canada and USA are optimistic in Pan Am Cup

MEXICALI, Mexico, June 5, 2006.- USA and Canada are considered the favourite teams in the First Men’s Pan American Cup starting today in Mexicali and Tijuana, the two main cities in the State of Baja California.

Both teams are using this competition as part of their platform toward the World Championships next November in Japan and their coaches sounded very optimistic while talking to the media on the eve of the start of the action.

“This is the start of our international season and a good competition to begin our preparation for the next World Championships,” said Glenn Hoag, the recently hired Canadian coach. “We hope to have good matches and to perform.”

Hugh McCutcheon, the American coach born in New Zealand, said this will be a very busy summer season for the USA squad.

“We are very happy to be here competing against good teams and I hope this tournament will be of good help for our preparation for the World League and the World Championships. It is also our goal to qualify for the America’s Cup.”

Cuba will be represented in the event by a young squad which includes a couple of players that are also in their roster for the World League.

“We have some players of the team that won the bronze medal in the 2005 Junior World Championships and others who played in the last Continental Norceca’s Tournament in Winnipeg,” said Ariel Sainz, the Team Manager. “Our plan is to increase the amount of players at the different ages and to compete in all classes at the international level.”

Here is what the rest of the coaches had to say.

Julio Frias, Dominican Republic: “Our goal is to qualify for the America’s Cup but also to prepare our team for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia this summer.”

Jorge Azair, Mexico: “Being the host team, we need to take advantage of that situation and try to qualify for the next tournament.”

Jose Remon, Panama: “It is a good opportunity for our team to compete against strong teams. We need to go step by step, but I hope that someday we will be among the top four teams.”

Giden Dickson, Trinidad & Tobago: “”It is a good experience for Trinidad & Tobago. We are qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Games and this will be a good preparation for that competition. Here, I hope to advance to the quarterfinals.”