England takes on USA in Opening Match of the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013

Tianjin, China, October 1, 2013 – The sport of polo made a triumphant return to China today as the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013 got underway. Staged at the luxurious Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, this thrilling 24-goal tournament, one of the highest-ranking international tournaments in the world, is rapidly earning itself a reputation as the premier event in Asia’s polo calendar.

Hosted by the Federation of International Polo and the Chinese Equestrian Association, this high-goal international tournament promises to be one of the highlights of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club’s event calendar. To ensure that world-class polo tournaments like the Super Nations Cup continue to be staged in China, and to help the growth of the sport here and around the world, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club strives hard to maintain its facilities and state-of-the-art systems. It imports polo talent from Europe and elsewhere to assist in maintaining the very high standard and quality of its services.

The sport of polo made a thrilling return to China today as England edged out USA by 14 goals to 13 in the opening match of the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013.

The first day of the tournament coincided with the beginning of China’s Golden Week holiday, drawing spectators from across the region to enjoy an exciting day of polo action. Distinguished guest Mr. Sun Li-sheng from the Chinese Equestrian Association got the 6- chukka match underway by throwing the first ball of the tournament. It was Team USA who looked the brightest at the start, closing out the first chukka 3 – 1 ahead.

USA kept up the pressure on England with two rapid-fire goals in the second chukka, Mike Azzaro, last year’s MVP, proving too hot to handle. England captain Luke Tomlinson pulled one back with a penalty, and England added a third as the match officials were kept busy with infringements from both sides.

The polo was dogged and hot-tempered in the third chukka, England’s Mark Tomlinson breaking away for a powerful solo goal, only for Collingwood to reply with a score of his own, making it 6 – 4 to the Americans. USA earned an extra goal cushion just before the break, ending the first half of the play with a comfortable 7-4 lead.

Penalty misses might have proved costly for England after the restart but a determined and skilful display of polo helped them close the gap to just a single goal, ending the fourth chukka 9 – 8 to the Americans. By the end of the fifth chukka, the scores were tied 11 apiece, the game too close to call. With 30 seconds left on the clock in the final chukka it looked like an England victory at 13 – 12, but a last-gasp goal by team USA tied the match at 13 each at the end of normal time.

A frantic sudden death chukka ensued, with Team USA spurning several gilt-edged changes trying to win the match, allowing England’s Mark Tomlinson to smash home the winner and claim victory at 14 goals to 13.

In the post-match press conference, Nicholas Roldan of Team USA rued the missed chances at the end. “Congratulations to England, but I think as a team we played better on the day. We started off really strong but the wet conditions balanced the match out; ultimately we missed three or four easy chances to put it away in the final chukka so in the end it wasn’t our day.”

England’s Mark Tomlinson praised the quality of the ponies at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, especially considering that they do not play all year round. “We were a bit lucky at the end”, admitted brother Luke Tomlinson, “but anything can happen in this type of four-man polo, and it was a very close and exciting match.”

Hong Kong China will play Argentina tomorrow.

Daily polo matches are contested as follows: Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Result:    England vs USA    14-13

The tournament schedule will continue as follows:–

Information on Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013
Gate opens: 1pm
Match Time: 2pm

Address: 16 Hai Tai Hua Ke Ju Lu Bin Hai Gao Xin Qu, Tianjin, China
Official website: supernationscup.com
You may wish to catch the matches:

Team List