Pakistan thrash Nigeria by 15½-7 in 2011 Asian-Australian-African Championship
Raja Sami Ullah, the legendary polo pro scored ten goals and had an assist, as Pakistan powered a commanding 15½-7 victory over Nigeria in the opening game of the 2011 Asian-Australian-African Championship that took place in the Royal Pahang Polo Club in
Pekan on June 15.
The 2011 Asian-Australian-African Championship also serves as a Zone-D Qualifier for the 2011 FIP World Cup Finals that is scheduled to be contested from October 11 to 25, in San Luis, Argentina.
Sami Ullah, who has been donning the colours of the Pakistan Polo Team since 2000, was at his best in the maiden game of the event. He has partaken in every major tournament since his international debut. As a defender, he not only covered the back-position,
but also surged forward to create chances and score goals for his team. He set the pace with ten goals and made the victory possible in the crucial fixture.
With heavy margin victory in hands, the Pakistan team obtained the top place at the point-chart with two points. It secured the win with 8½ goals that is quite heavy margin triumph so far in the seven-nation championship. Besides Pakistan, India, South Africa
and the host Malaysia also won their respective matches and got their two points. However, their goal-difference is low as compared to Pakistan's.
The Pakistani team, which has had less handicap players as compared to the opponent Nigerian side, started the game quite brilliantly. Having 12 goals against the 14 of Nigeria, the Pakistani side received 1½ handicap goal in the game.
Sami Ullah, the real architect of the victory, scored nine goals in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th chukkas, while added one in the fourth to take an insurmountable lead for his team with 10 goals. In addition, his team-mates, Temur
Nadeen and Ahmad Tiwada, scored two and one goal apiece. Saqib Khakwani also displayed impressive game and scored one goal besides denying several efforts from the other team.
From the other side, Bello Buba set the pace with three goals while his team-mates, Mohammed Babangida and Ibrahim Mohammed, added two and one goal respectively, in the loss. It is vital to mention here that the Nigerian side lost second time in the championship.
It lost to South Africa in the first game of the event by eight goals 13-5. After losing two games, the Nigerian team will play Round-Robin for the fifth and seventh places play-off games.
The Pakistani team will face South Africa in the upcoming match that is scheduled to be held on June 18, 2011 at the same venue. Following the great victory, the team is looking to meet the arch-rival, India, in the semi-final stage of the Asian-Australian-African
Championship.
Tags: