Tianjin, China, October 2, 2013 – The polo players of Hong Kong China delighted home supporters at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club today with a closely fought victory against defending champions Argentina. Scoring 10 goals to Argentina’s 9, Hong Kong China booked themselves a place in Saturday’s final against England for the chance to be crowned champions of the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013. Argentina will take on USA in the subsidiary final on Friday.
The action got underway in glorious sunshine at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, with a lively Hong Kong China edging the first chukka 4 – 2. In fine form, and with the ponies full of running, Hong Kong China extended their lead to 7 – 4 by the end of the second chukka. The typically resilient Argentineans came back strongly before the end of the first half with Mariano Obregon leading the charge, closing the gap on Hong Kong China and going in at the break 5 goals to 7.
Both nations came out fighting in a tense but goalless fourth chukka, with Hong Kong China’s John-Paul Clarkin coming the closest to scoring. Argentina stepped on the gas in the penultimate chukka, levelling the scores at 8 goals a piece with seconds left on the clock, setting the stage for a thrilling final seven minutes.
Hong Kong China and Argentina were each awarded 40-yard penalties at the start of the final chukka. Tied at 9 goals each, the play became stretched and frantic, with Hong Kong China putting the most pressure on their opponents’ goal. The Argentineans defended desperately up to the bell, but Hong Kong China’s pressure paid off. A tap-in penalty in the dying seconds of the chukka won them the day, and a place in Saturday’s final against England.
Now the spectators, players and team staff can take a day of well-deserved rest ahead of Friday’s subsidiary final and the grand final on Saturday.
Daily polo matches are contested as follows:
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Result: England vs USA 14-13
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Result: Hong Kong China vs. Argentina 10-9
The tournament schedule will continue as follows:–
| Date | Time | Team | ||
| 03 October 2013 (THU) | Rest Day | |||
| 04 October 2013 (FRI) | 2 pm | Argentina vs. USA | ||
| 05 October 2013 (SAT) | 2 pm | England vs. Hong Kong China |
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:
• Or catch delayed telecasts online
Team List
| ARGENTINA | Handicap | |
| Player 1 | Martin Pepa | 5 |
| Player 2 | Mariano Obregon | 7 |
| Player 3 | Michel Dorignac | 7 |
| Player 4 | Martin Donovan | 5 |
| 24 | ||
| Reserve | Juan Martin Obregon(S) | 5 |
| Coach | Daniel Gonzalez |
| ENGLAND | Handicap | |
| Player 1 | Henry Fisher | 4 |
| Player 2 | Mark Tomlinson | 7 |
| Player 3 | Luke Tomlinson | 7 |
| Player 4 | Nacho Gonzalez | 6 |
| 24 | ||
| Reserve | George Meyrick | 5 |
| Coach & Reserve | Andrew Hine | 5 |
| HONG KONG, CHINA | Handicap | |
| Player 1 | Dirk Gould | 5 |
| Player 2 | Joao Ganon | 7 |
| Player 3 | John-Paul Clarkin | 8 |
| Player 4 | John Fisher | 4 |
| 24 | ||
| Reserve | Ramon Castilla | 3 |
| USA | Handicap | |
| Player 1 | Ulysses Escapite | 4 |
| Player 2 | Nicholas Roldan | 8 |
| Player 3 | Mike Azzaro | 8 |
| Player 4 | Tomas Collingwood | 4 |
| 24 | ||
| Coach & Reserve | Joel Baker | 2 |