Pak Creates History By Qualifying For Polo World C

[fati 0]

Pak Creates History By Qualifying For Polo World Cup

LAHORE, Pakistan: Dec 15 (PNS) - Pakistan created history in polo by qualifying for the World Cup after defeating India 10-9 in sudden death in the World Cup Zone D play offs here at Lahore Polo Club ground on Sunday.

Silence prevailed over a full house when India equalised at 9-9 , 30 seconds before the end of scheduled five chukker game,stretching the game to the extra sixth chukker.

The home side favoured by lady luck, settled the issue in the early stages of the chukker in a right side move engineered by Raja Samiullah and hat trick maker Shah Qublai Alam hit home the golden goal after carrying the ball from 60 yards with a accurate shot and the crowd stood up and threw arms in the air amid rousing slogans to mark the historic victory of Pakistan.

The victory gave a ticket to Pakistan for the World Cup to be held in France in September. The other team which qualified for the premier event from the Zone D is the favourite Australia which maintained its unbeaten run in the tournament with four victories, defeating Singapore by 11 goals to four and a half on the final day.

Puunjab Governor,Lt General (retd) Khalid Maqbool was the chief guest on the occasion and witnessed the match with keen interest. Corps Commander Lahore, Lt General,Zarrar Azim was also present on the occasion.

In a see-saw game both the sides experienced tension and pressure as the score was equalised at six stages, 2-2,3-3 (Pakistan),6-6,7-7 (India),8-8 (Pakistan) and 9-9 (India).

In a thrilling game which produced an exhibition of top class polo by either sides,Pakistan almost race through the win when they led 9-8 with half a minute remaining.But the joy short lived when India's top scorer,man of the match and man of the tournament, converted a 60 yards penalty to take the match to an extra chukker and a big crowd kept its fingers crossed and anxiously waited for the sixth chukker.

What turned out to be the best match and do-or-die game for both sides, India took a flying start by hammering goals in the opening chukker,one each by Sameer Shuhag and Shamsheer Ali and Pakistan hit back with aggression making it 2-2 through Samiullah and Hissam.

Ravi Rathore gave India lead in the second chukker which Pakistan ended at 5-3 when captain Qublai struck a hat trick off two successive 60 yards penalty hits and with one field goal.

Pakistan maintained its hold in the third chukker in which Shamsheer scored after dribbled through their whole defence and Qublai scored his fourth goal.

India top scorer Sameer,who scored altogether five goals, slammed two goals in a row to lock the score at 6-6 in the fourth chukker with Shamyl re-established Pakistan's lead at 7-6 with India's Shamsheer levelling at 7-7 after scoring his third goal.

The ace Indian player Sameer put India in front in the start of the fifth chukker with Samiullah equalising at 8-8 and Hissam making 9-8 and the crowd clapped to mark " a would be victory of Pakistan " as seconds were left.But a foul led India to a spot Penalty and match went to sixth chukker sudden death.

After the match the victorious team took a round of the ground in victory jubilation. The Punjab Governor gave away the prizes to the members of the all participating teams and their officials. He also gave away souvenirs to the members of the Federation International Polo.

BEst OF LUCK

[Waqas 48]

I would like to see Pakistani Polo team to see Winner of POLO CUP 2003, The Game of the KINGS in Lahore :)

Waqas

[fati 0]

v won the match in lahore against india... next year our team will go to paris... the'll win the match against australia inshallah

[Asim Ali 0]

nice post

pakistan team will win the Polo World Cup InshALLAH

and Bring The Polo World Cup Home for The First Time In The History .

[Shabo 0]

POLO??? A new direction for Pakistan.. I wish them well!!

If any1 finds out the outcome.. do update us all on here :)

Sx

[fati 0]

ya sure. i watch the latest polo match against india. i'll watch against australia.. it will surely b an interesting one.. good luck to pak polo team

[Waqas 48]

When is POLO final CUP?

Cant wait anymore to know about winner

Waqas

[fati 0]

do u really wana knowwww.. its in september next yearr..

[Shabo 0]

Wow Fati ur well into this sport hai na? ;)

The final is sometime coming then?... I guess the horses need a rest b4 the grand finale

Waqas> It will SOON be here!!! :D

Sx

[fati 0]

lol.. u know i watched it for the first time and found it really interesting.. coz i like horses.. and thus i got to know something :) ...... i m still thinking as if i heard the wrong date. i mean sep,,,,,, its too late.... their ponies will b converted into horses till then :)