The FIP World Polo Championship, taking place during this week in Sydney, Australia, features 8 national teams up to 14-goals in participation. Wednesday saw the second matchday of Group B, where Chile claimed a new win, while New Zaeland beat the english team in a fantastic match.
CHILE 11-2 INDIA
Chile won their second game in Group B with an 11-2 win over India on Wednesday after a strong first two chukkas from India that shook the champions. After a 16-1 loss to England in their opening game, India needed to restore some pride and they should have been ahead after two chukkas but missed chances to go ahead.
The Indians came out with a different intensity � as coach Uday Kalaan later said “;we fight for ourselves. We fight for our country.” The Indians immediately put the Chileans on the back foot. India had changed positions of all four players come the first throw-in. But it was the intent and the man marking that appeared to cause the Chilean’s problems.
Had India been more accurate � missing four opportunities to score � they may well have built up a cushion for what was about to come from Chile. At half time Chile led by 3 to 1 and, with India still in the game, Chile coach Martin Zeggers asked his players to simplify their game plan.
Chile coach Martin Zeggers said “;India played a terrific first two chukkas and put a lot of pressure on our guys. He added that after the break his Chilean players “;made it more simple, started hitting back shots and turning.” As the Chileans came back out firing, India were unable to maintain the pace as the more experienced Chileans began to win the throw ins and find runners up field.
“;It’s only the second game with this team as was a very raining winter (in Chile).” Zeggers added. “;We are still in a process of knowing each other under harsh circumstances, but what I take from today is that the simpler we play the better we play.”
The win sets up an enticing Super Saturday encounter against England as the teams vie to top the group and progress to the final.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, and worryingly for England, the Chilean captain Jose Zeggers said “;England are a tough team but we feel good with the team (we have). We have not played much together. We had a really bad winter. We are starting with a team that we never thought we were going to start with.”
CHILE: José Martínez 2 (3 goals), José Zegers 5 (3), Andrés Vial 3 (2), José Pereira Riesco 4 (3). Total: 14.
INDIA: Padmanabh Singh 2, Angad Kalaan 4 (2), Dhruv Pal Godara 5, Siddhant Sharma 3. Total: 14.
Score Chile: 0-1, 1-1, 3-1, 7-2, 11-2.
Umpires: Julian Appleby y Fergis Gould.
NEW ZEALAND 11-8 ENGLAND
For many, the best match of the tournament so far. Open, fast and attractive, with two 14-goals teams that held a professional game, where all the players had the chance to stood out.
New Zealand seems to have found their best version, after a bad debut against Chile. The crowd cheered them up, and they had a good performance against an also good english team. England scored a couple of times but New Zealand ended up with a difference of 5 goals.
Although it´s not impossible to achieve, now New Zealand will have to beat India with a wide difference, wait to England beat Chile and to have the maximum difference inside group B.
NEW ZEALAND: Adam Haworth 2, Guy Higginson 5 (8 goals), Glenn Sherrif 5 (3), Jonny Jones 2. Total: 14.
ENGLAND: Josh Cork 2, Satnam Dillon 5 (2), Henry Porter 2 (1), Peter Webb 5 (5). Total: 14.
Score New Zealand: 1-1, 4-4, 6-5, 10-6, 11-8.
Umpires: Juanjo Díaz Alberdi y Fergis Gould.
The FIP World Polo Championship will resume on saturday with the following order of play:
10am, Group B: Nueva Zelanda vs India, at Supremo Field.
12pm, Group A: España vs Estados Unidos, at Supremo Field.
2:30pm, Group B: Chile vs Inglaterra, at International Field.
4:30pm, Group A: Argentina vs Australia, at International Field.
The final will be played on Sunday at 3pm at the International Field between the winners of Groups A and B.