The women’s team had qualified for the same finals in 2003, but was squeezed out this time.

However, TnT Hockey Board president Maureen Craig-Rousseau said the women’s team proved to be capable of “performing at the top”.

“There was a number of Under-21 players in the team,” she said proudly, hinting that there are greater things to come from the women.

The hockey boss told reporters she was “extremely proud” of the men’s team, which had already qualified for March next year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

“I’m elated with the achievement.

“We were able to improve on our third place two years ago,” she added, noting that the gap between TnT and regional powerhouse Canada was now closed, and there is only a one-goal difference between the two.

Team coach Francois said the team met its first objective by qualifying despite sub-zero temperatures in Canada.

He regretted not winning the final against Canada after missing several scoring opportunities in the first half.

“We did not take our chances and they took full advantage in the end,” Francois said.

Malvern’s Wayne Legerton was the top TnT scorer with eight goals, followed by Nicholas Wren with seven and Rafael Govia and Quandwane Brown with six each; Dwain Quan Chan with five and Dillet Gilkes with three; while one apiece came from Anthony Marcano, Alan Young and Roger Daniel.

Brown was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Meanwhile, Olympic Committee boss Romany who expressed having good hopes for the team before the competition, extended congratulations and made another prediction: “As I have said on a previous occasion, I am confident that the men’s hockey team can qualify for the Beijing Olympics,” he stated.

Romany said he hopes the team will use the World Cup qualification “as added impetus to work even harder on elements such as fitness, technique and tactics” leading up to the finals in Austria.

He again noted that the Hockey Board “is taking positive steps” to foster and grow the sport in TnT.