The 64th Argentine Ambassadors Cup game took place on Sunday 5th of July at Lawns 2, with Clinova Circulare taking on Ojo Caliente, played as part of the St. Regis Cowdray Gold Cup tournament.
Guests from the Argentine Embassy lined the pitch with excitement as the teams took to the field, to play for this momentous cup. Riding out at 1 for Clinova Circulare was Arsalan Karim (0) at 1, Teodoro Lacau (7) at 2, Juan Gris Zavaleta (7) at 3, and Isidro Strada (7) at Back. In the green shirts for Ojo Caliente Ana Escobedo (0) rode out at 1, with Martin Podesta (6) at 2, 8-goaler Facundo Sola at 3, and Alfredo Capella (8) at Back.
The opening chukka saw very equal play from the first throw-in. Clinova Circulare struck first with a goal out the first line-out by Lacau, but Ojo Caliente responded immediately as Facundo broke away to score. Clinova Circulare regained the lead through Zavaleta, but Sola answered once again, calmly converting a spot hit to level the scores. Ojo Caliente finished the chukka on top when Podesta finished off an excellent run from Sola, giving his side a 3-2 advantage.
The second chukka developed into a thrilling battle between Lacau and Sola, with both players exchanging goals throughout. Sola opened the scoring with a well-taken 30-yard penalty before Lacau responded almost instantly with a neck shot straight from the throw-in. Sola restored Ojo Caliente’s lead with another under pressure goal, but Lacau had the final say, scoring two more goals just before the buzzer to leave the scores level at 5-5.
The third chukka belonged entirely to Ojo Caliente. Sola quickly put his team back in front with a 40-yard penalty before adding another from 30 yards after Clinova Circulare conceded a foul. Ojo Caliente continued to control the game, as Podesta rounded off their flurry of goals in the final minute, extending their lead to 8-5 going into half-time.
The fourth chukka was dominated by penalties. Strada got Clinova Circulare off the mark with a successful 40-yard penalty, but Cappella quickly replied for Ojo Caliente with a converted 30- yard penalty. Zavaleta then added a breakaway goal for Clinova Circulare to reduce Ojo Caliente’s lead to 9-7 heading into the fifth chukka.
Clinova Circulare started the fifth chukka strongly as Karim converted an excellent 30-yard penalty. Sola responded with another goal for Ojo Caliente to keep his side ahead. After a stop-start period of play with several fouls, Strada converted a 40-yard penalty late in the chukka to leave just one goal between the teams at 10-9.
The final chukka began perfectly for Clinova Circulare as Lacau scored within the opening seconds to level the match. Ojo Caliente, however, produced a composed finish. Podesta restored their lead with a well-taken nearside backhand goal before another foul handed Ojo Caliente a 60-yard penalty, which they converted to seal a 12-10 victory.
The prestigious Argentine Ambassadors cup was presented to Ana Escobedo by Mariana Plaza, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Kingdom. The Argentine Ambassadors Best Playing Pony Rug produced by X-Zony was presented to Luna, played and owned by Alfredo Capella.
