LIVESTREAM: 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships Gold Medal Game: Team Canada v. Team Mexico, July 22 4p (5p EST, 11p CEST)

AFI | 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships | 07/22/2018

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

Team Canada will look to defend their 2016 World Championship and win a record third title when they take on a surprising Team Mexico squad in the 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships at Mexico City’s Olympic Stadium, July 22.

This will be the first time in the 10 year history of the tournament that the two-time winners, Team USA, will not be playing for the gold medal.

Mexico knocked off the might American squad in round two with a decisive 33-6 victory. The Canadians downed Team Japan in their second round game, 28-22, but were given a scare with Japan driving for a winning touchdown with a minute to go. However, Canada’s defense thrarted a last minute fourth down conversion attempt by the Japanese to earn the win.

These two teams met twice during the 2016 tournament in Harbin, China with Canada winning both games. However, Team Mexico pressed the Canadians in both games. In the first, Canada trailed 16-3 at the half but scored four second half touchdowns to win 30-14. The second game was even closer with Canada prevailing 28-21 but needing to hold off a fourth quarter surge by the Mexicans to secure the win.

Team Mexico quarterback Sebastian Hernandez has thrown for 182 yards and three touchdowns so far in this tournament while Canada’ s Andreas Dueck has completed 15 of 25 passes for 255 yards and five touchdowns. Glodin Mulali is the second leading receiver so far in the tournament with three catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Tyson Philpot has six receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, good for third on the list. Team Mexico wide receiver Ivan Gutierrez leads his team with 75 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.

Running back Julio Hurtado has been a workhorse for Team Mexico and leads all rushers with 224 yards on 36 carries. However, Canada’s Freud Jean Ernst César is not far behind with 17 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown, to go along with two receiving touchdowns. Jalen Philpot has rushed for 191 yards but is averaging 17.36 yards per carry.

Mexico’s Jonathan Garcia and Canada’s Charles Bouchard are among the top five tacklers in the tournament. Garcia is second with 13 tackles while Bouchard has 10, good for fourth.

On paper, these two teams seem evenly matched but Mexico has a reputation for playing well at home. And with a huge crowd expected with estimates ranging from between 30,000 to upwards of 50,000, crowd support will be enormous for the Mexicans.

Team Canada head coach Steve Sumarah:

“We are excited to go to the gold medal game. It might be a bit of s surprise to most but we’re going to face a really good Mexican team, who look as good as anybody here. On Sunday night, it will be pretty exciting for these kids. It should be a fantastic crowd here and we look forward to defending gold.”