Mon 13th Jun 2016Dubai Have Done It Again Cambiaso’s Team Crowned Cartier Queen’s Cup Winners
The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final on Saturday 11 June fell into the hands of five time winners of the cup Dubai, after a match of two halves concluded with a deciding goal from the world’s number one Adolfo Cambiaso. The much anticipated Final between UK high goal regulars Dubai and new to the tournament La Indiana began in less than ideal conditions of typical British heavy rain. The first half was technical with the occasional run across the ground, but they mostly ended in a whistle, 17 penalties to be exact. Dubai took a strong lead as La Indiana failed to find any rhythm within their team. The pressure of facing the most dominant team of the tournament was palpable and at the end of the third chukka the score was 9-4. The half-time break was the opportunity the new team on the block needed to regroup and come out in the fourth chukka with a fierce attacking plan. Julian de Lusarreta’s form was incredible as he scored goal after goal for his team, leaving Dubai on the back foot. In the fourth chukka alone La Indiana scored 4 goals whilst Dubai failed to score any. Dubai were forced to play a defensive game for the remainder of the chukkas and only managed a further three goals in the second half compared to nine goals scored in the first half. Lusarreta was a lethal attacking weapon for La Indiana, now unfazed by the opposition he powered on. Agustín ‘Tincho’ Merlos, one of the most consistent penalty takers in the tournament, was also on form with his shots to goal as he hit a sky high Penalty 3 in the sixth chukka to bring the score to 11-10, and La Indiana within touching distance of victory with just minutes to go. The excitement wasn't over yet, as an inspiring dash to goal by Lusarreta ended in an incredible under the neck shot from the boards which whistled past Cambiaso on the inside and sliced through the flags, bringing the teams level for the first time in the match at 11-11 with just 12 seconds left on the clock. The atmosphere around the ground was electric, La Indiana had the backing of the spectators, but it seemed that Dubai had the favour on the field as a foul was called in the corner of the ground. Although the foul was overturned it was this call that was the undoing of the La Indiana side, as a line up was called that ultimately lead to Cambiaso scoring the winning goal. Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, presented the Cartier Queen’s Cup to Rashid Albwardy and his Dubai team. The Cartier Best Playing Pony Award went to Volcan, a 13-year-old chestnut gelding owned by Bautista Heguy and played by Lusarreta, who also received the Most Valuable Player Award. Laurent Feniou also presented the Cartier Trophy, played for as the Subsidiary Final earlier in the day, to Ludovic and Sebastien Pailloncy, patrons of HB Polo team. They defeated Sifani 10-9 in a seventh chukka. Incredibly after three weeks of games between 12 teams, this was only the second golden goal scenario in the 2016 Cartier Queen’s Cup. This Subsidiary Final was similar to that of the afternoon’s main Final, as HB Polo were completely in control in the first half, leading 7-2. David Stirling and Ignacio Toccalino were particularly strong for HB Polo and Sifani struggled to find any answers to some good play. Again everything changed in the fourth. with Juan Gris Zavaleta playing like a man possessed and ensuring that the scores were level 9-9 at the end of the sixth chukka. Not surprisingly, Zavaleta’s brilliance earned him a Most Valuable Player prize. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the seventh chukka was a disappointment due to the speed with which the game concluded. Pelon Stirling was awarded a penalty close to goal for HB Polo and not surprisingly this 10 goal superstar slotted the ball home to finish the game and win the match for HB Polo. A full report, social feature and pony power feature will be in the July issue of Polo Times. Click here to subscribe now in time to receive this issue. The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final teams: Dubai (22): Rashid Albwardy (2), Kian Hall (1), Adolfo Cambiaso (10) & Juan Martin Nero (9) La Indiana (22): Michael Bickford (1), Nic Roldan (7), Agustín 'Tincho' Merlos (8) & Julian De Lusarreta (6) Score: Dubai defeated La Indiana, 12-11 Photograph: Dubai won the 2016 Cartier Queen’s Cup. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com
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