Dubai scores great victory over Loro Piana
By Antje Derks
Adolfo Cambiaso proved yesterday why he should still be regarded as the world’s greatest polo player, after putting in a poetic performance alongside his Dubai team mates to defeat Loro Piana 8 – 6 in one of the last Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup league games.
Matias Logicco replaced Loro Piana’s patron, Alfio Marchini, who is still with his family following his son’s accident. Christian Laprida opened the account for Dubai, and despite one or two opportunities that came Pelon Stirling’s way and could have levelled the scores, Dubai finished the first chukka 1 -0 up.
David Stirling must have thought the goal posts had been narrowed. He missed two 40 yard penalties, when the ball hit the posts on both occasions; going wide and again dashing Loro Piana’s hopes of a comeback. All the while Cambiaso and his team were beavering away, creating space, passing the ball and scoring another two fabulous goals.
During the third chukka, Juan Martin Nero took over penalty hitting duties from Pelon, but he did no better, sending his very wide of the mark. And then, as if to rub salt into the wound, Cambiaso strolled up and smacked a 40 yard penalty into the wind and straight between the posts. Loro Piana looked as sick as parrots. Juan Martin Nero clawed one back for Loro Piana, but Cambiaso was awarded an open goal, 30 yard hit which he converted with ease. Going into half time, Dubai were leading 5 – 2.
Tariq Albwardy did his father Ali proud, by finding the posts adding to Dubai’s total. Pelon quite literally found another post as he again failed to take advantage of a golden shot at goal. Some lovely interplay by Botcha Logicco and William Beresford resulted in a goal for Loro Piana, but Cambiaso snuck in another goal after a mistake by Nero.
Another goal by Logicco and one from Pelon meant that by the start of the sixth chukka Loro Piana were only three goals adrift at 8 -5.
The sixth chukka really was poetry in motion. Pelon scored to bring Loro Piana to within a couple of goals of their rivals, but more impressive was the pace and passion on the field. The only whistle blown in the sixth chukka came with two minutes left on the clock, which resulted in a spot hit to Dubai. The end result was Dubai 8, Loro Piana 6.
The eight teams through to the Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup Quarter Finals are:
Sumaya, La Bamba De Areco, Habtoor, Les Lions I, Broncos, Apes Hill, Lechuza Caracas and Dubai.