Valiente vs Pilot
Valiente take the second Final spot against La Dolfina having won the Semi-final of the U.S. Open Polo Championship on Wednesday 17th April, defeating Pilot 9-6 at the National Polo Center.
A third consecutive Valiente vs La Dolfina final is on the cards as Pilot lost to Valiente in their first match up of the season. A low scoring affair, Valiente successfully shut down the goal scoring potential of Pilot's Facundo Pieres meaning that at halftime the score was at 5-1, Pilot unable to get back on the scoreboard after Antonio Heguy's initial goal in chukka 1 drew first blood.
Peke and Paco worked hard for Valiente throughout the game, continuing their records of scoring over 2/3s of the team goals between them while Cambiaso controlled the game from behind. Vilagre, who stepped in in the league stages after Bob Jornayvaz was injured, complemented the three Valiente teammates well. ensuring he was free up front for passes.
Both sides showed clean, dynamic team plays, but it was Valiente who were able to convert their 18 shots on goal to 6 field goals and shoot 100% from the penalty line to run out the winners 9-6 despite a last chukka push from Pilot.
The Teams:
Chukka Breakdown:
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Peke Gonzalez impressed in the U.S Open Polo Championship Semi-final against Pilot with skills including:
- Approach shots to goal
- Neckshots
Check out this highlight reel of him doing what he does best:
Selected Match Highlights:
Antonio Heguy breaks up an attacking play with a backhand pass to Facundo before running down the centre of the field to receive a long range pass back from Facundo for a goal:
Another team combination play as Cambiaso hits a backhand to be picked up by Peke who runs it to goal, scoring with an under the neck shot: