Cartier Queen’s Cup Day 14

 

King Power had everything to lose today and so they came out fighting from the first chukka. Schockemohle were already out of the tournament but a loss for King Power could have seen them in a battle with other teams on a two-win/two-loss score. So today they made sure there was no doubt. Hilario Ulloa and Fran Elizalde scored all the goals  – eight for Hilario and four for Fran. In fact their goal scoring was beautifully consistent – two through the flags every chukka. Schockemohle again delivered some brilliant individual play but could not translate that into team-work and goals. King Power have been impressive with their four-man polo, with Top Srivaddhanaprabha invariably up front ready to receive a pass and today was no exception. They were ahead 6-2 at half-time and just gradually added to that tally until the final whistle.

 

The second game was more of a surprise as Siri Evjemo-Nysveen’s Vikings team have been impressive in this competition, including an narrow win over Park Place last week. UAE Polo ll had secured only one win before the start of this match and so any betting people watching this game would have put their cash on the Vikings. Unfortunately the Vikings penalty taking was adrift today. Juan Martin Zubia, who has been known for his big hitting, straight shooting didn’t quite have his eye in today. He did go off the field twice for treatment and so maybe an injury was to blame. That said the Vikings kept a narrow lead until the fifth chukka. Here Alfredo Bigatti converted two penalties and a field goal to give UAE Polo ll a much needed 8-6 lead going into the sixth chukka. UAE then  failed to score in this final chukka, but Vikings couldn’t swing this game back their way. Not only did UAE’s Hugo Taylor do a great job in defence but both Juan Martin and Sebastian Merlos sent penalties wide for the Vikings. Much of this was, no doubt, due to the pressure. This was a game the Vikings had to win. Juan Martin did find the flags with a minute remaining but there was no time left to push this game into extra time.