Brunei and Lechuza Caracas qualified for the semifinals of the Cartier Gold Cup
The Brunei and Lechuza Caracas teams won today their respective matches and thus qualified for the semifinals of the Cartier Gold Cup, the most important Cup on the 45th INDI International Polo Tournament.
Brunei defeated the already qualified Dubai by 12-10 and earned a spot on the decisive stage. Simultaneously, Lechuza Caracas defeated Ayala Polo Team by 16-14 and is the third qualified team. Now there is just one spot left in the semis, and two teams, Ayala and Dos Lunas A&G Banca Privada, fighting for that spot.
The fourth qualified team will be revealed on the last qualifiers to be played on Tuesday at Los Pinos, the main fields of the 45th INDI International Polo tournament, with the matches between Ayala Polo Club vs. Brunei, and Lechuza Caracas vs. Dos Lunas A&G Banca Privada.
Match progression:
Lechuza Caracas: 5-1/ 6-4/ 11-6/ 12-8/ 14-10/ 16-14
Brunei: 3-1/ 5-2/ 7-4/ 8-5/ 10-8/ 12-10
The protagonists:
Juan Martín Nero- Lechuza Caracas“For us, today’s match was very important to play on Tuesday at ease, knowing that we are already qualified and allowing the horses to relax a bit for the Semifinals on Thursday. Besides, we played a good match today, the functioning of the Team was good and we are very pleased about it. Matt (Perry) complemented the team quite well and now, on the Gold Cup, we know how to function and we are performing well before the teams of great level that we have to encounter”
Matt Perry- Lechuza Caracas“To be honest, I have had little time to adapt, I was coming from a different kind of polo in England, without the pace of high goal, but I feel better day after day, I am catching up, getting to know the horses and functioning well with the team. Honestly, I wasn’t very aware of what was going on in Sotogrande but I got the call, I hopped on a plane and here I am, enjoying the experience and trying to collaborate with the team the best that I can. To be playing in Sotogrande, on this time of the year, its really important for me. To be on this tournament, with the best teams and organization, it is truly a dream come true”
Aerolineas Argentinas Gold Cup (Medium Goal)
Two matches took play today, closing the qualifiers of the Aerolineas Argentinas Gold Cup. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand defeated by a tight 11-10 Marqués de Riscal, and Brunei did the same with Royal Salute, but by 14-10.
With these results, Golden Goose joins GSA on the semifinals and now four teams will have to define the other two spots by penalty shootouts tomorrow at 10:30 at the Los Pinos Field 1. Teams are: Brunei, Sainte Mesme, Santa Quiteria and Seven Sevens.
Yesterday, GSA defeated Sainte Mesme by 13-12 on a spectacular match and is the first team to qualify for semifinals of the Aerolineas Argentinas Gold Cup in the medium goal category of the 45th INDI International Polo Tournament.
On a duel of both undefeated teams so far, the team integrated by Henri Porter, Gastón Bardengo, Martin Valent and Juan Jauretche took home the victory on a rowdy match with a great game level. With this victory, GSA adds the third one in a row and is the first team to access the decisive phase.
Isolas 1892 Gold Cup (Low Goal)
Tomorrow, at 11am on the Puente de Hierro fields, the last qualifiers phase of the Isolas 1892 Gold Cup will take place. Matches are as follow: Jolly Rogers vs Bayswater, Valdeparras vs Foxcote y Lechuza John Smith vs Shakib Polo Sotovila.
Foxcote is the only team qualified for semifinals and tomorrow the remaining three spots will be defined.