India defeat Malaysia by 12-5 to ride into the Asian-Australian-African Polo Championship semi-final
In a bid to continue the winning streak, the Indian polo team outclassed Malaysia by 12-5 in the second match of the Asian-Australia-African Polo Championship that took place at the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pekan, Malaysia on June 17, 2011.
In spite of having one win in hands, the Malaysian team failed to show impressive performance and could only score five goals against the twelve of their competitors.
Having 14-goal handicaps each, the two teams landed on the field with a mission to get a berth in the semi-final round. However, it was the Indian side that dominated much time of the game in the crucial fixtures. The Indian team replaced Ravi Rathore with
Simran Shergill against the host Malaysia.
Samir Suhag, the legendary polo pro and captain of the Indian team, set the pace for his team with seven impressive goals and made the victory possible. His personal scores have been reached up to eleven goals in the two matches. He notched a couple of goals
apiece in the third and fifth set of plays, while a solitary goal each in the first, second and fourth rounds. His team-mates, Simran and Vishal Chawan, scored a couple of goals apiece and took the game into their favour. Impressively the fourth player of
India, namely Tarum Sirohi, also participated in the scoring and added one goal in the victory.
From the other side, Huzaini Yunus was once again the leading scorer for his team. He, who scored five goals in the first match, could only get three notches in the loss. He managed the scoring respectively in the first, third and fourth set of plays. Tengku
Ahmad Shazril and his team-mate, Shaik Reismann, also added one goal apiece in the loss.
Carlos Pando, the coach of the Indian team, while speaking to the media, stated that it was not their day as the heavy margin defeat eliminated their chances to get a berth in the semi-final round. He stated, “It was not our day today. The big defeat killed
our hopes. This happens in sports and polo is no exception. India played really well and we have to accept that.”
Ahmad Jamili Rashid – the manager of the team in an unpleased state of mind said that the ponies made all the variation.
It is vital to mention here that the Indian team has moved into the semi-final round of the Asian-Australian-African Polo Championship, which also serves as FIP Polo World Cup Zone D Qualifier. Following this defeat, the chances have been reduced for the
host side to move into the semi-final stage. The final round of the Polo World Cup is due to be played from October 11 to 25, in San Luis, Argentina. Top three squads will be qualified for the final round of the 2011 FIP World Cup.
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