Thu 24th Mar 2016 USPA Gold Cup Finalists Decided Audi and Dubai Come Out Winners of the Semi Finals Wednesday 23 March saw victories for Dubai and Audi at the International Polo Club, Palm Beach, setting the stage for the Final of the 2016 USPA Gold Cup, which is due to take place on Sunday 27 March. Dubai took to the field for the midday game against a talented Coca-Cola team in the first Semi Final match of the day. In a cautious and defensively oriented start, Coca-Cola took the lead, ending the first half with a close 6-5 advantage, despite a strong offensive attack from Dubai after Adolfo Cambiaso was taken off having been on the receiving end of a mallet swung by Coca-Cola’s Miguel Astrada. All patched up and ready to go Cambiaso returned to the field to mount an attack on the Coca-Cola defence and after half-time a regenerated Dubai team charged onto the field. Dubai took the lead that saw them through to the end. Coca-Cola did their best, staying close on their heels, but Facundo Sola was on fire, scoring goal after goal and Coca-Cola could only try to catch up. Refusing to give up they kept closing the score difference, but they were unable to surpass their opposition and the final whistle blew as the Dubai side celebrated an 11-9 win. In a rematch of the Final of the 2015 USPA Gold Cup, Audi and Orchard Hill faced one another in the second Semi Final with Audi getting the better of Orchard Hill, 12-10, and earning the right to defend their 2015 title on Sunday afternoon against Dubai. Playing without the services of 10 goaler Polito Pieres (suffering a shoulder separation after a fall in the Quarter Finals), Orchard Hill lined up with Argentine 9 goaler Hilario Ulloa. At first, it looked as though this change in line-up would affect the team’s previously fluid playing style. With Audi coming out strongly from the first chukka, Hilario proved his worth on the field in the third chukka, scoring back to back goals that helped them bring the score to a more equal footing, the first half ending 8-7 in favour of Audi. The second half was a close affair and as Orchard Hill settled into their stride, the lead alternated between the two teams throughout. Mounted on fresh horses, both teams returned to the field for the final chukka to settle the affair and find out who would be facing Dubai in the tournament Final. It didn’t take long – Gonzalito Pieres converted a 40 yard penalty shot for a 10-10 deadlock. Two more goals from Pieres left no doubt and Audi earned their place to fight for victory.   Photograph: Cambiaso with a huge shot to goal. By Alex Pacheco

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