American 8-goaler Mike Azzaro on the ball. Azzaro scored six goals in the USA win.
The United States (Tommy Collingwood, Nic Roldan, Mike Azzaro and Ulysses Escapite) put together six solid chukkers of play Friday afternoon in China as they rolled over Argentina (Martin Pepa, Marianito Obregon, Michel Dorignac and Martin Donovan) by the score of 13-8 in the consolation round of play in the 2013 Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup at China’s Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club.
Martin Pepa got Argentina on the scoreboard with the first goal of the game, 1-0, but was countered by goals from Mike Azzaro and Tommy Collingwood, 2-1. Marianito Obregon closed out the chukker with his first goal of the game for a 2-2 tie.
Defensive efforts highlighted second chukker play with backhanders and ride-offs limiting scoring opportunities. Azzaro scored the only goal of the chukker for a narrow 3-2 USA advantage.
Nic Roldan opened the third period with his first goal of the day, 4-2, but Obregon countered with a goal for Argentina less than two minutes later. Consecutive goals from Roldan and Azzaro had the USA in front 6-3. Obregon scored the final goal of the chukker with seconds on the clock as the United States left the field at the end of the first half with a 6-4 advantage.
The teams were evenly matches in the fourth chukker. Argentine 7-goaler Michel Dorignac scored his first goal of the day in the opening minutes of play. Roldan responded with a matching goal just minutes later. The fourth period ended with the USA holding on to their two goal lead, 7-5.
The United States broke it open in the fifth. Three goals from Azzaro and a goal from Ulysses Escapite had the USA in front 11-7. Argentina managed just two goals in the chukker (both by Obregon) and after five chukkers of play, trailed by four goals, 11-7.
There was no rally in store for Argentina as they took the field for the final chukker of the game. Collingwood and Escapite each scored a goal to put the United States on top, 13-7. Obregon scored the final goal of the game, but it was the United States that left the field with the 13-8 victory.
Azzaro led all scoring with six goals. Roldan was credited with three goals and Collingwood and Escapite each scored a pair of goals in the win. Obregon’s four goals led the Argentine attack. Dorignac added three scores while Pepa chipped in a goal in the loss.
Saturday afternoon will see England (Henry Fisher, Mark Tomlinson, Luke Tomlinson and Nacho Gonzalez) face Hong Kong (Dirk Gould, Joao Ganon, John Paul Clarkin and John Fisher) in the finals.