Argentina lifts record fourth World Polo Championships’ Title
Argentina finished off the IX World Polo Championships in the best possible fashion, treating fans and onlookers to a fantastic game, edging past Brazil in the grand finale to clinch the mega event, played at the Estancia Grande Polo Club, in San Luis, Argentina.
It was surely one of the best competitions of the event, as both the teams were contending to earn the fourth title to their credit.
Argentina scored 12 goals against the 11 of its rival’s in the title-claiming match, acquiring the fourth title in the World Championship.
Argentineans won World Polo Championship titles back in 1987, 1992 and 1998 while Brazil claimed victories in 1995, 2001 and 2004.
It was a fine sunny day, where a jam-packed crowd witnessed the crucial game of the low-handicap, IX World Polo Championship.
Brazil and Argentina, the two dazzling foursomes, opened the highly anticipated game at a frantic pace. Both the line-ups were battling to get the ball under their control.
However, the visiting Brazilians got off to a better start, marking three back-to-back goals in the very first chukka of the match.
They opened the play in quite an aggressive mode, giving Argentina no chance to stop the ball at any occasion.
Brazil displayed a stiffened defence and permitted only a single goal to Argentina in the first seven and half minutes of play.
Although the host team won the second chukka on papers, it failed to eliminate the advantage. Brazil was leading the game at 5-4 after the two chukkas of play.
In an unparallel move, Brazil acquired five goals in the third set of play while holding the opponents scoreless throughout the period.
At that point the home team was bewildered, as they were losing the battle at such a crucial stage.
The Argentinean coach, Martin Zubia, changed the position of the players, attempting to reduce the pressure of the game.
The modifications served the home side substantially, as Argentina managed a couple of back-to-back goals, while holding Brazil at bay throughout the period.
Brazil was still holding a single goal advantage, 7-6, with two chukkas left to play.
The hosts flexed their muscles in the real sense, in the second last period of the match.
The lead exchanged hands with Argentina, as it scored four goals against the two of its rivals, establishing its first lead of the match at 10-9.
The two teams exchanged a couple of goals in the final set of play, with Argentina still holding on to the lead.
Argentina clinched the title of the IX World Polo Championship, earning the 4th title to its credit. The home side proved that Argentina is the land of Polo. Argentinean captain, Alfredo Capella, was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament.
Tags: