USA Defeat Argentina To Clinch Third Place At The Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2014
USA staged an inspiring comeback today at China’s Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club to beat rivals Argentina 10 – 9 in the subsidiary final of the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2014. Trailing two goals to five at half time, the Americans scored eight goals in the final three chukkas, going some way to make amends for their defeat in the opening match against local side Hong Kong China, who will play England in the grand final tomorrow.
In fact, today’s match was a repeat of the grand final of the inaugural Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup back in 2012, Argentina edging that contest by eight goals to seven, and the USA’s Mike Azzaro, the only player from either side to be representing his nation again in this tournament, winning the Most Valuable Player award.
In front of a buoyant crowd, the ball was thrown in by VIP guest Mr. Bat-Erdene Dashemberel, Minister of Defence and member of Parliament of Mongolia, and the game was on. A first chukka full of attacking endeavour set the tone for the rest of the match, ending with both teams poised on one goal each.
Deft stick work by Pablo Llorente resulted in a fine score for Argentina at the start of the second chukka, cheered on by His Excellency Gustavo Alberto Martino, Ambassador of Argentina to the People’s Republic of China, and a keen polo fan. After the pony change it was Pablo Llorente once again who proved too hot for the USA to handle, galloping in a smart goal to make it 3-1 to Argentina. A late chance for the USA to pull one back came in the form of a 60-yard penalty. Nicholas Roldan’s shot had the legs but not the accuracy.
A defensive blunder by the USA at the start of the third chukka left the ball exposed in front of goal, inviting Argentina’s Pablo Llorente to step in and cut it sweetly between the posts. Argentina were having the lion’s share of attacking play, Dorignac coming close with a shot from distance, before the irrepressible Llorente scored again make it 5 – 1 to the South Americans.
Then followed a let off for USA as Pablo Llorente uncharacteristically rolled his penalty wide. This spurred the Americans into life, who galloped down field as a unit but failed to convert. Eventually the pressure told with a minute and a half left on the clock, a penalty by Nicholas Roldan cutting the deficit to three goals, the scores at half time 5 – 2 to Argentina.
The South Americans started as they left off after the traditional treading in of the divots, Pablo Llorente putting himself on the score sheet yet again. USA replied with a fine backhand goal off the stick of Mike Azzaro, the experienced talisman finding a way through the Argentinean defensive lines. A hit from the spot for Nicholas Roldan resulted in a smart chip and charge and another score for the USA. Azzaro added to the USA’s tally after a terrific passage of play and great stick and ball by Nicholas Roldan, Argentina having little answer to the revitalised American side.
Argentina’s Martin Tassara scored his first of the game at the start of the penultimate chukka, a swift gallop towards goal leaving his defender eating turf. USA’s Nicholas Roldan replied with a 40-yard penalty to pull it back to 7 – 6, and quickly made it all square a moment later with another shot from the spot.
A fantastically lofted hit from Roldan dropped just in front of the posts for Andres Weisz to nudge over the line, giving the USA the lead for the first time in the match. This lasted all of thirty seconds, a decisive Argentinean attack winning them a tap in from the spot, leaving the teams tied on eight goals each going into the final chukka.
USA’s Mike Azzaro led the charge with a muscular goal early in the chukka, only for Argentina’s Dorignac to reply with a trademark breakaway gallop and shot just before the halfway bell. USA came close to a winner with two minutes remaining after a powerful run by Azzaro failed to find the finish it deserved, but seconds later Nicholas Roldan rolled in his fifth of the game to make it double figures for the USA. In a thrilling final two minutes chances fell for both sides, but the USA held on to win by the tightest of margins.
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Daily polo matches are contested as follows:
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Result: Hong Kong, China VS USA 13 – 6
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Result: Argentina VS England