Hong Kong China, England and Mexico Record Wins on Day Three of the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2014
Today marked the start of the second phase of preliminary matches in the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World 2014. All twelve competing nations have played their first of three games at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, thus the results from here on will begin to determine which teams progress into the latter stages of the tournament.
The opening match was a muscular contest between two arch sporting rivals. England, semi-finalists in 2013, took on Australia, the only team yet to score in the tournament. The Aussies didn’t have long to wait, however, John Baillieu exploding out of the blocks to thump home the fastest goal of the competition so far after just nine seconds.
England’s polo stars didn’t roll over, Max Charlton rallying the troops and scoring, and Jack Richardson adding another at the end of the first chukka. England pulled away after the restart, scoring once from open play and again from a 60-yard penalty. However, the determined Australian trio rustled up a penalty goal of their own to set up an exciting final chukka, the English leading 4 – 2.
The snow-white polo field became a battleground in the closing stages as ponies clashed and players cursed. Australia was awarded a 20-yard penalty after frantic open play, driven between the posts by Dirk Gould to narrow the deficit to a single goal. England missed two penalty chances as tensions mounted, but with the final bell echoing around the Fortune Heights skyline, the game ended 4 – 3 to the English.
Next on the bill, a fascinating contest between defending champions Hong Kong China and the exciting Chile side that made short work of Australia on day one.
First blood went to Chile’s Matias Vial, but Hong Kong China’s John Fisher replied with a penalty to level the scores. Vial put his side ahead again with a straightforward 20-yard penalty, and added a third goal to close out the opening chukka 3 – 1.
In the second chukka, Fisher struck another 20-yard penalty to close the gap on the Chileans, and then tapped in one more following powerful attacking play from Guillermo Terrera. With the scores poised at three goals each, the stage was set for a thrilling final chukka, a win for either team virtually guaranteeing progress into the quarterfinals.
Chile edged out in front once again with another penalty courtesy of Matias Vial, but Hong Kong China’s John Fisher converted a penalty himself to level the scores. Then a moment of polo brilliance to elicit whoops and cheers from the crowd: Guillermo Terrera, proving why he’s the tournament’s highest ranked player, galloped in a brilliant solo effort seconds from the bell, winning the game for Hong Kong China five goals to four, and keeping their hopes of retaining the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup trophy very much alive.
The final game between Spain and Mexico was an intriguing match-up, both nations newcomers to the Snow Polo World Cup and both yet to register points in the opening matches.
The first chukka was marked by a single Spanish goal, Martin Itturaspe making no mistake with his 20-yard penalty. The teams were evenly balanced throughout, both sides scoring twice in the second chukka, which ended with Spain ahead by 3 goals to 2, and the game too close to call.
Mexico’s polo legend Carlos Gracida levelled the scores at the start of an emphatic final six minutes of polo. Spain came frantically close to scoring on occasion, but in the end it was a moment of intuitive team play that won the day – Julio Gracida setting up his uncle Carlos to score and snatch victory with just one second left on the clock.
Registering their first ever snow polo win, Julio Gracida, wearing Mexico’s number one shirt, was delighted. “It was a team win and we’re very happy,†enthused Gracida. “That last goal was a play Carlos and I have practiced a lot over the last two years, and now we have the chance of going to the quarterfinals.â€
Next up, Mexico faces Chile; a match Julio Gracida knows will be tough. “It’s going to be a war. Chile is a very strong team and they gave Hong Kong China a big test today.†This tournament is Gracida’s first time at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. Asked how he has found the facilities so far, he said “Beautiful, unbelievable! Everything here is first class. I can’t wait to see this place in five year’s time, it will be a masterpiece.â€
In tomorrow’s games, South Africa will be looking for their first points of the tournament against France, New Zealand will take on Canada, and Brazil will be hoping to add to their tally against the USA.
The results so far:
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Results: Hong Kong China vs Spain 6 – 4
Australia vs Chile 0 – 4
England vs Mexico 5 – 1
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Results: New Zealand vs USA 3 (4) – 3 (3)
Canada vs France 3 – 5
Brazil vs South Africa 3 – 2
Friday, 10 January 2014
Results: England vs Australia 4 – 3
Hong Kong China vs Chile 5 – 4
Mexico vs Spain 4 – 3