Thu 20th Oct 2011Heartbreak for England as Brazil edge an absolute thriller Brave England must settle for a place in the third and fourth place play-off against Italy
England's World Cup hopes died on Wednesday afternoon as, with an extra chukka beckoning, the men in white were cruelly beaten by Brazil right at the end of the sixth, 15-14.
It was a game that at certainly lived up to its billing in terms of quality and excitement, with both sides playing fast, open polo and peppering the goal in a frenetic end-to-end contest. The full-throttle and full-blooded attacking intent of the teams created a wonderful spectacle and, with England playing the more inventive polo and leading for long periods in the game, this reporter dared to dream of an Argentina vs England final on Friday.
However, it wasn't to be. Brazil fought back admirably in the final chukka, capitalising in front of the posts when they got the chance, scoring good goals and leaving England to reflect on how their superior tactics and team-polo approach failed to get them the berth in the final that many of those watching felt they deserved.
Nevertheless, though the Brits might reflect on one or two decisions that could perhaps have gone their way, pleasingly the game won't be remembered for the contribution of umpires (as was the Tortugas Open final last weekend). Instead, England must feel proud that they couldn't have done any more. They gave everything.
Team coach Anthony Fanshawe's task now will be to help the English recover from their disappointment and motivate them for their third-fourth playoff against Italy on Friday, a team they will be meeting for the third time in three weeks, having qualified alongside them for the tournament from the European hopefuls in Zone C. The two nations enjoyed a victory each in their last two meetings, so there certainly will be plenty of pride to play for, particularly since Italy will also feel very unfortunate not to be in the World Cup final themselves.
The Italians lost narrowly to Argentina on Sunday, meaning it's an all-South American final, as the hosts take on their neighbours, Brazil. Friday's schedule won't be the one England will have been hoping for, but it should produce two very juicy encounters nevertheless.
Photograph: Max Charlton heading to goal in the "Polo Times play of the day" in the fourth chukka, by James Mullan
Earlier
In Wednesday's other game, Australia recorded their second consecutive victory of the week, with an enjoyable win over Chile, beating them 12-11 in an extra chukka. Team captain Matt Grimes, pictured below, scored the decisive golden goal.
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