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By Jawwad Qamar
May 28, Moorpark, CA: Ciudad de Buenos Aires women and Namdhari from India, were the big winners at the 2007 California Cup here on Memorial Day. Both champions received the $5,000 first prize that went along with the Super Division title at the 36th edition of this wonderful international field hockey event.
Ciudad de Buenos Aires women in their first Cal Cup appearance defeated Malvern Field Hockey Club of Brooklyn, New York, with relative ease, 4-0. The team consisting mostly of junior players from Buenos Aires and coached by the legendry five-time Olympian, Marcelo Garafo, gained 18 penalty corners in the title match – 11 in the first half. However, Ariel Eber in goal for Malvern along with the forever young Laiza Vunibobo at full back, were equal to the challenge and only Lila Grasso succeeded on set pieces for Buenos Aires at the 17 minute mark, as she sent in a powerful low shot that ricochet of Eber’ arm into upper left corner for the lone score in the first 35 minutes. Eber earlier also stopped a penalty stroke that was given when the ball hit Vunibobo during the fourth penalty corner attempt by Buenos Aires.
While Malvern’s offense was almost non existence, relentless attacks by Buenos Aires that had a sense of purpose and cohesiveness started to finally pay off as the Argentineans added three field goals in the second half. Laura Di Ninno pounced on a rebound of Eber that her defense failed to clear, in the 41st minute, beating the diving goalkeeper for 2-0 lead. Rocio Ubeira followed on a great solo effort, moving right to left for a reverse stick shot seven minutes later and Yanina Rojas added her tournament leading 10th tally with three minutes remaining for a comprehensive 4-0 final result and the celebrations began. Rojas was awarded the Ross Rutledge Award as the highest scorer in the entire Super Division. This award honors the memory of Canadian hockey great Ross Rutledge who passed away in 2004. Rutledge was a fixture at Cal Cup for a number of years and is missed by all.
Mexico took third place by edging the defending champions Monarcas1-0. Earlier in the semifinals Malvern defeated Mexico 2-1 on goals by Kate Sculley and Orie Trotman while Michel Navaro scored for Mexico. The second semifinal saw Ciudad de Buenos Aires outclass the defending champions Monarcas 5-1 on the strength of two goals by Laura Di Ninno.
Teams
1st - Buenos Aires: Antonella Arias Romano,Sol Rossi, Marisa Carroli, Agustina Stagnaro, Romina Pzellinsky, Rocio Ubeira, Maria Belen Pallitto, Laura Di Ninno, Paula Stoltzing, Mariana Camillioni, Lila Grasso, Fernanda Stoltzing, Mariela Scarone, Yanina Rojas, Mora Martin
2nd - Malvern USA: Ariel Eber, Oire Trotman, Mim Chapelle-Eber, Liaza Vunibobo, Raquel Otieno, Cheryl Eglin, Victoria Geoffry, Kate Sculley, Lindsay Leck, Curline Wynn, Stacy Sui-Butt, Sekayi Leiburd
Umpires: Sally Edinger (USA), Susie Gomes (Trinidad &Tobago)
In the men’s division, in the most anticipated match of the day (and perhaps the tournament), Namdhari avenged their 2005 semifinal loss (and the loss from Sunday) at the hands of Ciudad de Buenos Aires by denying the defending champions their third straight title. In a scintillating final before packed spectators, the team from India pulled ahead 3-1, at the 60 minute mark and then withstood a furious comeback from Buenos Aires to hold on for a 3-2 triumph.
After a fast back and forth start by both teams, a determined Namdhari attacked in waves but Cristian Cisneros was up to the task for Buenos Aires, thwarting three penalty corner attempts and a 3-on-2 fast break. However, after Indian forwards fail to connect on a number of passes into the circle, Karmjit Singh finally succeeded on a long ball from Gurpreet Singh in the 22nd minute for a 1-0 lead. This followed some rough play and Sebastian Raffo was shown a yellow card by umpire Mark Jarvis for elbowing Gurvinder Singh. The end to end fast pace continued as both teams missed a number of chances without further damage and first half buzzer sounded.
The second half started with a long run by Karmjit and after exchanging missed attempts at each ends, veteran Juan Pablo Correa beat the Namdhari keeper on a well taken pass to level score at 1-1, much to the dismay of a large Indian crowd. This however was short lived as Gurpreet Singh put in a low penalty corner shot, five minutes later to regain the lead. The match continued at a fast and furious pace with Buenos Aires looking for equalizer. But after two successive misses during a penalty corner, one on an open goal, Karmjit Singh surprised the Buenos Aires defense with his second goal by deflecting a long ball from Ravipal Singh ten minutes later to build a two goal cushion. With the Argentineans showing a sense of urgency, Captain Santiago Capurro came back right away on his team’s eight penalty corner to send the fans in frenzy as Namdhari was a man down with Jagdeep Kumar out on a yellow card for rough tackle. Buenos Aires kept the pressure on, looking desperately for the tying goal but the Indians stood firm and the clock ran out. And thus ended a splendid final which will linger long on the minds of those who were fortunate enough to witness it.
Earlier Pacific Sun beat Dirty Birds 3-2, on penalty strokes for third place after both teams had played to a 2-2 tie in regulation. During first round of strokes each team missed one and it took 8 pairs of sudden death strokes before the outcome was decided.
Teams
1st - Namdhari: Harpal Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Swinder Singh, Jatinder Pal Singh, Sher Singh, Bachiitar Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Harjinder Singh, Jagdeep Kumar, Harvinder Singh, Avtar Singh, Anmolak Singh, Sabu Varkey, Ravipal Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Karmjit Singh
2nd - Buenos Aires: Cristian Cisneros, Juan Pablo Correa, Martin D'Adamo, Nicolas Federico, Fernando Garbal, Federico Gutierrez, Cristopher Knight Arce, Ignacio Moreschi, Nicolas Truksinas, Andres Dinardo, Santiago Capurro, Matias Luppani, Ignacio Manes, Sebastian Raffo, Bautista Blasco, Geromino Cebero
Umpires: Andy Higgins (UK), Mark Jarvis (UK)
During the awards ceremony, in a great sporting gesture, both teams put aside the rivalry to pose for pictures and the Argentineans broke out in song along with Buenos Aires women who had not stopped celebrating since their final match had ended. This was a perfect ending to another great California Cup. And as always, the organizing committee and the volunteers went all out to make the visitors feel at home. One young lady, Georgina Cebrero, International Teams Coordinator, who was born in Argentina went even further, tasked to sing the national anthem of Argentina, she took it upon herself to also learn the national anthem of India that is sung in Hindi. Her performance was on the mark according many from the large Indian crowd there to root for not only Namdhari but also enjoy top class field hockey that is rarely seen in this country.
Kudos once again to all involved with this excellent and amazing undertaking!
For a complete list of all Cal Cup winners and final standings, please visit the official site www.calcup.net.