Mon 27th Mar 2017Victorious ValienteUSPA Gold Cup Win for Tournament Favourites
Valiente have performed strongly throughout the 26 goal tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach and made short work of their opponents Orchard Hill in the Semi Finals; meanwhile Coca Cola narrowly defeated Audi in the Semi Finals to face the mighty and as yet undefeated Valiente for the Final on Sunday 26 March. As the action commenced, Valiente’s dominance was well and truly questioned as Coca Cola came out with all guns blazing in the first chukka to secure a quick 2-0 lead. Coca Cola continued to do an effective job containing Matias Zavaleta up front and not allowing world number one Adolfo Cambiaso to be unmarked at any time, but foul trouble allowed Valiente to make their way back into the game, meaning they were still in the game 5-3 at half-time. Valiente emerged from the break invigorated and systematically began to seize control as Cambiaso led the charge with his usual flamboyance scoring from the 60 yard line. Cavanagh, the leading goal scorer of the tournament, joined the attack notching up four goals and inching Valiente ahead. Quiet for most of the game, when it counted Zavaleta turned on the after burners to scorch past the entire Coca Cola team and score, giving Valiente a three goal lead that could not be eroded. So, after a thrilling Final, Valiente secured victory with a score of 9-6. Valiente are therefore undefeated in the 26 goal this season. Having already won the C.V. Whitney and now the USPA Gold Cup, all eyes are on them to see if they can secure the US Open and with it the US Triple Crown. Can they make it a hat trick? Current form would suggest they can. To keep up with the action, follow the latest from Polo Times. Not a subscriber? Click here. USPA Gold Cup Final Teams: Valiente (26): Bob Jornayvaz (2), Matias Torres Zavaleta (6), Adolfo Cambiaso (10) & Diego Cavanagh (8) Coca Cola (26): Gillian Johnston (2), Julian de Lussaretta (7), Julio Arellano (8) & Miguel Novillo Astrada (9) Photograph: Valiente secure victory of the USPA Gold Cup by defeating Coca Cola in a 9-6 victory. By ©David Lominska/IPC |