Sunday 7th July was another day of fast-paced, high goal action at Cowdray Park Polo Club, with two very tightly contested games between 4 of the most exciting teams in the Gold Cup roster.
Match 1
A much needed win for La Dolfina Murus Sanctus was the result of a closely fought match against HH Sheikha Maitha’s UAE. The team, led by Adolfo Cambiaso now go 2 for 2 in the league stages while UAE are now 2 losses to just a single win with 1 more match to go in these qualifying stages. With all to lay for, neither team was giving an inch and they remained close throughout. An unfortunate 5th chukka for UAE saw them go 4 goals down, a deficit that even their heroic efforts in the last chukka could not rectify and 4 goals was not enough to catch the La Dolfina Murus Sanctus side, who having sensed victory were unrelenting in their attack.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Match 2
This was a really important match for both sides as Talandracas fought for their place in the Quarter Finals joining La Dolfina Great Oaks and Dubai and simultaneously claiming the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup. But it wasn’t an easy feat, Valhalla putting up an impressive fight against the Queen’s Cup winners to push the match to overtime. The goal scoring skills of Ale Muzzio and Polito Pieres were on display as horse race after horse race saw them overcome the Valhalla side.
Back and forths kept the audience on their toes but Talandracas were able to maintain their lead and despite Valhalla equalising in the 6th to push the game to overtime, it was Talandracas who showed their champion mentality, keeping a cool head and riding for the foul after a near miss on goal from Muzzio. Polito slotted home the resulting penalty and they take their place in the Quarters.
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Photo credit – Mark Beaumont