Team Canada Wins FIP World Cup Zone A Playoffs in Costa Careyes, Mexico
Team Canada recently participated in the Federation of International Polo – Zone A Playoffs in Costa Careyes, Mexico. The team consisted of Marcelo R. Abbiati, Brandon Phillips, Kyle Fargey, Robert Stenzel and Cody Offen, and was coached by Steve Dalton and Dave Offen. The playoffs, which serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2008 World Championships, were held at the beautiful Costa Careyes Polo Club in the Jalisco province of the Mexican pacific. The tournament was held from April 27 to May 5, with four teams competing: Canada, United States, Dominican Republic and Guatemala.
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Cody Offen, Kyle Fargey, Marcelo R. Abbiati, Brandon Phillips and Robert Stenzel receive medals as FIP Zone A Playoff Champions. |
The members of the Canadian team share a variety of backgrounds and experience in polo. Marcelo R. Abbiati is a 5 goal rated player from Priddis, Alberta. Abbiati is originally from Argentina, and has been based out of the Calgary Polo Club for over the last decade. Brandon Phillips is a 5 goal player originally from the Toronto area who currently plays professional polo out of Wellington, Florida. Kyle Fargey is a 2 goal player originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who works as the Polo Instructor at the Calgary Polo Club in the summer and plays professionally in California during the winter. Robert Stenzel and Cody Offen are both 2 goal rated players out of the Toronto area, who are quickly becoming Canada’s “next generation” of great polo players.
The Canadian team easily won both of their first two games of the tournament, with final scores of 12-5.5 against Guatemala, and 14-3 against the Dominican Republic. The final game of the tournament took place on Saturday, May 5, with Canada facing off against the USA. The US team was made up of Chris Nevins (4 goals), Stevie Orthwein (4 goals), Joseph Stuart (3 goals) and Nick Cifuni (3 goals).
Team Canada took an early 2 goal lead in the first chukker. The US team, however, made up some ground in the second and third, and by half-time the score was a close 4-3 in favour of Canada.
Both the Canadian and US team put up a physical battle in the second part of the game. In the fourth chukker, the US scored on a penalty shot by Chris Nevins and the Canadians scored on a beautiful break away by Abbiati, making the score was 5-4 going into the final chukker. Canadian team coaches Steve Dalton and Dave Offen took a small breath of relief when Brandon made a penalty shot during the first half of the 5th. But it was Robert Stenzel’s goal made from an excellent pass by Abbiati with under 30 seconds left in the game that really sent the Canadian team, coaches and fans wild!
With their 7-4 win over the USA, the Canadian team secured a place in the World Championships to be held in Mexico City next April. Other teams qualifying through Zone Playoffs include: Brazil (Current World Champion), New Zealand (Oceania), South Africa (Africa), England (Europe), Spain (Europe), Mexico (automatic by as host country). The eighth remaining team to qualify for the World Cup finals will be from the South American Zone to be decided between Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.
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The Canadian, Guatemalan and American teams.
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| Sofia and Delfina Abbiati cheer for their dad – tournament MVP Marcelo R. Abbiati. |
Marcelo R. Abbiati was awarded MVP of the tournament and his 4th chukker mount was also honored with one of the best playing pony awards. The entire Canadian team – Marcelo R. Abbiati, Brandon Phillips, Kyle Fargey, Robert Stenzel and Cody Offen – were recognized for their skill and determination in the game, and for their sportsmanship on and off the field throughout the tournament. Team Canada would like to extend their special thanks to the Brignone family for their outstanding hospitality in hosting the FIP World Cup Zone A Playoffs.
Congratulations to Team Canada and good luck at the World Championships in 2008!
Text and Photographs provided by Megan Kozminski