WAVES, DANCING AND CELEBRATIONS AT HOCKEY COMPETITIONS

The cold could not quiet the unceasing people's support at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center cheering for the Peruvian hockey team that faced the mighty “Los Leones” from Argentina, the current Pan American champions.

The stands were full. With waves, dancing and celebrations, the stands vibrated during the whole match. Peruvian fans chanted “como no te voy a querer” and “porque yo creo en ti”, while a giant Argentinian waved in the stands.

The match’s highest peak was when Rodrigo Díaz scored the only goal for Peruvians and the fans roared with joy.

“It was really loud, it was the greatest thing ever, and I dedicate it to my parents that have always supported me,” says Rodrigo. He added that “it must be the first time we score against Argentina, and I liked how we did it: working as a team.”

Fans has never stopped supporting the team even if results were not good. “This is the first time we play in Lima, with friends and family, and their support is what encourage us the most, it’s something that feels different,” says the Peruvian hockey player that has scored three of the four goals in the Pan American Games.

Rodrigo thinks that the infrastructure will be key to spread this sport in Peru. “Play in a stadium such as this one, with this kind of infrastructure, is a privilege that we enjoy and makes us really proud. That’s why our duty as athletes is to spread our sport,” he added.  

The Peruvian team still has two matches to play. Peru will go first against the loser from the match between Cuba and USA at 09:30.