Cartier Queen’s Cup – Day 9 Comebacks for La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal & Ojo Caliente

Two dramatic matches on day 9 of the Cartier Queen’s Cup, one of which went to extra time and a golden goal. Both games also had much in common – the winners were trailing for much of the match but found their gameplan when it mattered most.

Match 1:

Marques de Riscal won against Park2
La Dolfina Marques de Riscal, looking for their first win, were down by three goals, 8-5 at half-time. Park Place were dominant, closing down Poroto Cambiaso and his team-mates and ensuring that Park Place had a cushion at all times. Unfortunately, Marques de Riscal’s patron Alejandro Aznar had a heavy fall in the fourth and had to be subbed by Sammy Luff. Not surprisingly there was a delay to restart this chukka, which probably unsettled both teams. Park Place also had a change of personnel with Andrey Borodin retiring hurt too. His place was taken once again by Matias Maldonado. Park Place continued with their three-goal advantage into the fifth (10-7). Then La Dolfina Marques de Riscal started to apply some pressure on the scoreline. Rufino Merlos produced some lovely play to score, followed up by Cambiaso slotting though a 30-yard penalty. So, with just a one goal difference, the sixth chukka loomed with all to play for. Cambiaso took a penalty 5b, following it up with a bit shot to level the scores with just five minutes left to play. Hilario Ulloa, whose younger brother was on the opposing side, almost immediately converted a Park Place penalty to restore their lead. Then, incredibly, the next four goals were all off the sticks of La Dolfina Marques de Riscal players. A quartet of goals from Cambiaso, Carlos Ulloa and Merlos, to nothing in reply from Park Place, ensured fortunes had very much changed and La Dolfina Marques de Riscal could register their first win!

The Teams:

Marques de Riscal won against Park3

Chukka Breakdown:

Marques de Riscal won against Park4

Score Progression:

Marques de Riscal won against Park5

Game Statistics:

Marques de Riscal won against Park6

Match 2:

Ojo Caliente won against Desert Palm2
A golden goal off the stick of Felix Esain, who had a standout game for Ojo Caliente, won them this fierce battle against Desert Palm. These teams were heading up League Three and so this was always going to be a competitive match; it did not disappoint. Desert Palm were in control of the game until the sixth chukka, with Barto Castagnola regularly making the most of any space he found. Meanwhile, Ojo Caliente struggled to find the form that had won them their opening game. However, Ana Escobedo’s team’s fortunes changed dramatically in the sixth, although it didn’t start that well. Facundo Sola put a penalty four wide, only for Desert Palm to fire through a lovely field goal to extend their lead. Esain then produced a great shot to close the gap a little, following it up with a fabulous run to goal to level the scores, almost on the first bell. Thirty seconds of frenetic play followed but with no more goals the umpires called for extra time. Both teams had chances in this seventh chukka before some great teamwork between Alfredo Capella, Sola and, ultimately, Esain, delivered that crucial golden goal.

The Teams:

Ojo Caliente won against Desert Palm3

Chukka Breakdown:

Ojo Caliente won against Desert Palm4

Score Progression:

Ojo Caliente won against Desert Palm5

Game Statistics:

Ojo Caliente won against Desert Palm6

All games of the Queens’s Cup can be seen here

Polocam.tv – Quality Streaming Service

 

Image credit Pablo Ramirez

Stats provided by International Polo Academy