Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012 – Hong Kong, China Victorious over South Africa
Expectations were running high in the crowd on the final day of the inaugural “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012â€, as the home team, Hong Kong, China, progressed to the finals to play against South Africa.
After the rousing national anthems, the game was officially started by FIP President Mr. Eduardo Huergo, who threw the ball into the field. Hong Kong, China dominated the first chukka, with Guillermo Terrera and Martin Inchauspe both scoring. South Africa’s Tom de Bruin opened the scoring for South Africa in the second chukka, but Hong Kong, China dominated possession, with Terrera scoring again. Martin Inchauspe scored again to extend Hong Kong’s lead. Tom de Bruin scored a penalty towards the end of the chukka, but Guillermo Terrera scored a penalty also, to bring the home side up to 6:2 at half time. Having defended for most of the game thus far, South Africa started to threaten more in chukka 3, although Hong Kong, China’s Guillermo Terrera performed a dramatic penalty save to secure Hong Kong’s lead. South Africa found their stride in chukka 4, and put the home side under severe pressure, however Hong Kong, China maintained their lead, and finished the game 7:4.
The playoff for 3rd and 4th place was between England and Argentina. After the teams’ national anthems were played, Mr. Gustavo Martino, Argentina’s ambassador to China, was given the honor of starting the game by throwing the ball into play. It was a very close match, with both teams remaining within one point of each other, and England edging ahead 4:3 at halftime. The lead switched between the two teams throughout the rest of the game, but England managed to emerge victorious at the end, sealing an 8:7 win.