Crab Orchard cruise past Zacara 15-14 in US Open Polo Championship
In an unprecedented move, Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso, world’s number two and three players, faced each other in the first round match of the 107th United States Open Polo Championship being played at the field of International Polo Club
in Wellington, city of Florida.
The two teams commenced the game at very fast pace and some four goals were scored in the opening two minutes of the contest. Cambiaso led all the scoring for Crab Orchard and notched three goals in the period. Facundo Pieres marked a couple of goals for
Zacara to bring his team into the score-net.
The attackers of Crab Orchard accelerated their speed in the second and expanded their lead up to two goals, 5-3. Nachi du Plessis and his team-mate, Hilario Ulloa, scored one goal each for Crab Orchard, which was countered by a goal from Facundo Pieres.
Cambiaso was at his best in the game, connected on another two penalty-shots, and expanded the lead to three points, 7-4. Zacara after missing a pair of goal-scoring chances got a goal through a penalty-conversion in the hands of Pieres.
The strikers of Zacara improved their game and earned some three points in the period. Pieres and Sebastian Merlos added two and one goal, respectively and cut the lead down to two notches. Cambiaso and du Plessis were the point scorers from Crab Orchard
to maintain their two scores, 9-7 advantage.
In a striking move, the players of Zacara contested the second last frame in quite an impressive way and scored some four goals against the two of its rival. Cambiaso scored all the two goals, while Pieres and Mariano Uranga lit the lamp twice and once,
respectively and had it all even at eleven-all, with one chukka left to play.
The action in the final seven minutes was quite hard-hitting and both teams scored seven goals in the period. Cambiaso scored the opening goal of the final round to put Crab Orchard ahead on the score-board. Ulloa nailed two goals, increased the Crab Orchard
lead up to three points, and put opponent Zacara under heavy pressure. Pieres converted another two goals to show their presence on the field. Sebastian Merlos notched the tying goal and had it all even at 14-14.
In the last seconds of the play, the two foursomes were struggling hard to get a game-winner. Unluckily, Zacara committed a foul and gave Crab Orchard a chance to win the game, which they did not miss. All time favourite, Cambiaso led the strike, converted
the go-ahead penalty-shot and made the victory possible for Crab Orchard.
Despite losing the game, it was a brilliant offence from Pieres. He scored eleven goals, while Merlos and Uranga converted two and one goal in the losing effort.
On the other side, Cambiaso notched ten goals and made the victory possible for Crab Orchard. Du Plessis added two goals, while Ulloa managed three points in the win.
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