WORLD CUP 2004

World Cup Results

Men's Preliminary

Cayman Island (6) vs. Canada (7)

Cayman Island (28) vs. Dominican Republic (0)

Canada (19) vs. Dominican Republic (0)

USA (24) vs. St Croix (0)

Israel (18) vs. England (0)

St Croix (0) vs. Israel (12)

USA (18) vs. England (0)

Single Elimination

Canada (19) vs. England (0)

Israel (18) vs. Dominican Republic (7)

Cayman Island (21) vs. St Croix (6)

Semi Finals

Canada (18) vs. Israel (8)

USA (18) vs. Cayman Islands (0)

Third Place

Cayman Islands (24) vs. Israel (0)

Finals

USA (8) vs. Canada (12)

"Canada are crowned the 2004 World Cup of flag football champions"

Congratulations for winning your first ever World Cup

Women's Preliminary

Israel (0) vs. Venezuela (12)

Canada (28) vs. Dominican Rep (0)

USA (12) vs. Israel (0)

Venezuela (0) vs. Canada (26)

Dominican Rep (0) vs. USA (32)

Single Elimination

Dominican Rep (6) vs. Israel (21)

Semi Final

USA (18) vs. Israel (6)

Canada (28) vs. Venezuela (0)

Third Place

Venezuela (12) vs. Israel (0)

Finals

USA (13) VS. Canada (12)

"USA women are the 5th World Cup of flag football Champions"

Congratulations for winning your first ever World Cup

Order of Finish (Men)

1. 1, Canada World Champions
2. 2, USA
3. 3, Cayman Island
4. 4, Israel
5. 5, England
6. 6, St Croix
7. 7, Dominican Republic

Order of Finish (Women)

1. 1, USA World Champions
2. 2, Canada
3. 3, Venezuela
4. 4, Israel
5. 5, Dominican Republic
6.  

Story of the World Cup

The World Cup of flag football as previewed was full of surprises and upsets, maybe the two biggest upsets in the history of the event. In this years WC event we observed serious competition in the men’s division from new countries such as the Dominican Republic and the St Croix team, whilst the Cayman Islands nearly shocked big names such as Canada in the group stages. The most improved team has to be the newly crowned champions Canada and following suit is the Cayman Island that beat a very experienced Israel team to obtain their first third place spot in the competition. The preliminary stages of the event were clearly dominated by the big three USA, Canada and Israel and the Cayman Island team also came out to show that they were here to play football. Although, the Mexican team was disqualified from participating in the event because they failed to register by the deadline February 5^th, the men’s division was intense and extremely competitive. The Dominican team that was put together by the IFFF over an intense 8 week program showed good potential and represented their country on the field really well. Now with the Mexican men’s upsetting Canada in last years semi-final everyone knew that the Canadians would be all fired up and ready to take on anybody (we think we fired them up a wee bit much), just like most of the other teams the Canadians started off slow beating a confident Cayman Island team by a narrow 7-6 in their first group game but hammered the host team 28-0. Canada’s men grew in stature; game by game they grew stronger and beat Israel comfortably to reach the finals. The other finalist USA beat England and St Croix with ease in the group stages and had a by-game due to their outstanding record to meet a confident Cayman Island team in the semi-final. The game took place in front the World Cup’s biggest crowd (with the singing English keeping all the spectators entertained); there were at least 500 people from our group and a small local following present at the local stadium. It was also a good day for the event as the people of the Dominican Republic were celebrating their independence day.

USA unbeaten in all World Cup games were looking extremely confident and favorites to reach the finals, alternatively, the Cayman Island had just crushed St Croix and were an inch away from a dream World Cup finals the only problem was that USA were standing in their way. Team USA came out blazing all guns and giving nothing up and with a strong offensive line and fast rushing defense they gave the Cayman Island nothing. The final score between USA and the Cayman Island was 18 – 0 to the defending champions. Then the finals which was surely one to remember, well at least for anyone but team USA and their followers.

Team Canada vs. Team USA (Men)

Without Mexico present at the event everyone had already predicted a USA vs. Canada final and that’s what they got. USA the favorites had to play against a strong Canadian team still bitter after losing out to Mexico in last year’s semi-final. The Canadian team came with a different dimension to the game; a much more physical presence was demonstrated through their running game using big linemen to force the ball on the ground with Mike Dingsdale and Ricky doing most of the damage. Team USA was much more flair oriented with three different QB’s in Jim Dutra (known as one of the best QB’s in the USA) Pat Connolly and Claude Lockhart collectively brought a familiar but cool play to their game, passing the ball and running intelligent set-up plays. Both teams were enforced with solid defensive units, Canada had the likes of Billy Duracher, Martin Hanes, Kevin Dawkins and MVP Mike Dingsdale while USA were equipped with veterans Arty Hazard, Jimmy Wilson, Isaiah and Adam Descantis. The game started with Team Canada dominating the offensive side of the ball quickly scoring twice through Ricky on a 70 yard run after a quick slant and Glen Cooper ran 60 yards in the first half of the game to go 12-0 up. USA in the dumps for the first time struggled to compete and found it difficult to punch it in the red zone due to an extremely focused and determined defense led by veteran Kevin Dawkins. In the second half Canada’s defense played well and stopped USA from scoring on the one yard line, but made the mistake of running a power I and gifted USA with a safety, in other words brought them back into the game. Just before we go any further can you remember what happened in Davie in 2001, Canada drove all the way to be stopped by USA on goal line then USA's mistake attempt to run the ball resulted in the Canadians getting a safet ….de ja vue. Both teams hustled and tried to score but were up against good defensive plays. USA stepped up a gear and Pat Connolly threw a TD pass to Nick Odom to take the game to 12-8 close enough to have everyone off their seats. Team USA had the opportunity to win the game but a strong Canadian defense kept them out on a 4^th and goal play to deservedly win their first championship. Final score Canada 12 USA 8 and the Canadians were crowned World Cup of flag football champions. USA for the first time beat Canada at their own game (7on7) last year and then the Canadians win their first World Cup, the X-men from Toronto a core part of the Canada Team also reached the finals of the 8man (A) division in both Boston (cold) and Puerto Plata (nice & warm) proving that they are a top team. In all the game is becoming more balanced with the USA losing its dominance slowly, who knows maybe England will be the surprise next year, or the Cayman Island or even the Dominican Republic that was put together in only 8 weeks and played very well…good job guys

Women's World Cup story

The women’s division of the World Cup has been clearly dominated by Mexico winners of the past four events, this year with the Mexicans disqualified from entering due to not meeting the registration deadline both Canada and USA knew this was a good opportunity to capitalize. It is kind of natural though that Canada had reached three finals in a row and looked very strong only to not achieve their objective. Anyway both teams entered the championship game undefeated in the 2004 World Cup. The game began with USA kicking to Canada. Canada drove down the field with an impressive first drive to take an early lead on USA 6-0 after missing the extra point. Team USA responded with an impressive drive of their own dominated by running plays to score a TD on 4th down from Canada's three yard line. The teams went into half time tied 6-6 with USA due to receive the second half kickoff. Team USA returned the kickoff to their 25 yard line where they came out on offense. Canada played tough defense and stopped USA at their 30 yard line and forced a punt. Up to this point team USA's offense had not been stopped on downs or turned over the ball in the entire tournament. After a 15 yard net punt, Canada had excellent field position at their own 35 yard line. After Canada converted one first down team USA defense stepped up and USA's left safety intercepted a 20 yard Pass to stop the Canadians drive and keep the score tied. With USA starting their drive on the 25 yard line a conservative option running game was adopted to avoid any unnecessary turnovers resulting in a first down just inside the 40 yard line. Canada stepping up their safeties to stop USA's running game granted Team USA QB and offensive MVP Maria Miranda the opportunity to run left, fake a reverse and had USA running back Elle (Elizabeth Rodriquez) in pitch relationship to the outside. The play action fake was enough for USA WR and Team Captain Flipper (Jennifer Cortes) to get behind the Canadian defense down the left side line for a 30+ yard pass play to the 5 yard line. USA scored on another Maria to Flipper pass when Maria rolled left attacked the line of scrimmage to show run then making a basketball style pass at the last second over the heads of the charging Canadian defense. USA was successful on the extra point attempt to make the score 13-6 USA. The Canadian's showed their experience and with a 45 yard pass down the left sideline to pay dirt on their next possession with under two minutes to play. With their back against the wall after giving up the big play Team USA Defense responded to the challenge and stopped the extra point to maintain the lead. With less than two minutes left and the Canadians with only one time out USA converted a first down and ran out the clock without throwing another pass to preserve the upset victory 13-12.

Please if anyone has any nice action photos of the open tournament please send them to JimZimolka@flagfootballplayer.com thank you.

2004 World Cup Photos