In the first of the C.V. Whitney Cup Semi Finals on Wednesday 19th February at the National Polo Center, Coca-Cola won 15-9 against Globalport earning the first spot in the Final to be played on Sunday 23rd February. Having lost out in last year's Semi Finals to the eventual winners, this is a great achievement for Gillian Johnston's team in red.
Although they started behind, by the third chukka they had found their stride. Taking the lead going into halftime they began to pull away, creating opportunity after opportunity at goal. With Gillian out in front, always well positioned to receive the pass up and Polito and Lusarreta working hard at 3 and 4 to turn defense into offense, they had plenty of possession in their attacking half. 26 shots on goal compared to Globalport's 15 goes to show their strength in attack.
They were playing their game throughout, using each player up the field to move the ball along with quick, one-touch passes and spreading Globalport's men between them. Globalport struggled to find the posts in chukkas 4 and 5 so despite a strong last chukka they were unable to close the gap and Coca Cola take their place in Sunday's Final after 2 wins and a loss in the qualifying stages.
The Teams:
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Selected Match Highlights:
A great team combination play sees Polito send the ball up to Chavanne who passes up with 1 touch. Lusarreta picks the loose ball up and sends it upfield with a huge backhand where Gillian Johnston is perfectly placed to run onto the pass and take the ball to goal which she finishes with an angled cut shot:
Another show of great team play Lusarreta sends a backhand pass to Polito Pieres in front of goal who finishes with a neckshot through the posts: