Final Scores; Dubai Polo Team 15 – 13 Park Place Vaara | Venue: The Castle Ground - Flemish Farm
The much-anticipated match between undefeated Dubai Polo Team and Park Place Vaara initiated play on the 10th day of this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament. It was evident from the first throw-in that this would be an attacking game. Park Place Vaara’s Santos Merlos struck first but was quickly met with a response from Matt Perry. Stepping into the spotlight, two goals rom Juan Britos contributed to an impressive four-goal opening chukka, leaving Park Place Vaara ahead 4-2.
Effectively using Joshua Hyde in the number 1 position, Park Place Vaara accelerated forward and Hyde collected two assists, while his team remained a perfect 6 for 6 from the field through two chukkas. Trailing by four, Dubai Polo Team turned to tournament-scoring leader Camilo Castagnola, as a field goal and penalty goal helped Dubai Polo Team inch closer. However they remained down by three at half-time (8-5). The first team to complete all four league games in this competition, Dubai Polo Team faced a tough task in the second half in slowing Park Place Vaara’s high-powered attack. Foul trouble for Park Place Vaara provided an opening for Dubai Polo Team that resulted in three penalty conversions for Castagnola.
Dubai suddenly found themselves trailing by just one. Trying to hold on to their shrinking lead, Park Place Vaara relied on the play of 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa, who produced three consecutive goals for his team to maintain a slim lead. Then, after Albwardy had jumped on the loose ball to tie the score at 13-all, Castagnola fought through traffic and scored from distance to give Dubai Polo Team their first lead of the game, 14-13. Inside the final two minutes, Castagnola teed up a safety and sent the ball through the posts to secure a 15-13 win and head to the quarter-finals (4-5 June) with a perfect 4-0 record.
Cartier Queen's Cup 2022 Day 10 Gallery
Photographer: Images of Polo
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