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La Sarita stuns Ranhill to win Malaysian Open Polo
Sunday, August 24th, 2008
by Peter Abisheganaden
Ranhill Polo were
the favourites for this final as they were lying second in the RMPA
International League standings and had played in the finals of the last
two International League tournaments, winning the Ranhill Cup in June.
La Sarita, however, had won their place in the Malaysian Open Final as
the only unbeaten in the tournament, coming through the group stages with three wins.
Ranhill
got off to a good start in the final. Huzaini Yunos got 3 goals in
the first two chukkas of the game as Ranhill jumped out to an early 3-1
lead. La Sarita's 8 goaler Benjamin Araya constructed a fightback.
Quzier Ambak got an excellent goal to tie it 3-3. Benjamin then put
them in front with a tap in penalty. FIP World Cup MVP Matias Vial
Peres showed his ability as he replied with a field goal.
It
was a high quality and a very exciting match. The teams traded goals
in the 2nd half with Benjamin scpromg a 60 yarder and Huzaini working
hard to finish another Ranhill team move. The scores were tied at 5-5
with seconds to go in the chukka. Benjamin made it 6-5 with just
seconds to go to win the Malaysian Open for La Sarita.
For this outstanding efforts, Benjamin Araya (pic right with Asad Jumabhoy) was named Most Valuable Player of the Malaysian Open Polo Tournament.
It
was a very good end to the RMPA International League for La Sarita,
which had improved their position at successive tournaments.
Congratulations to Asad Jumabhoy, Quzier Ambak, Benjamin Araya and
Gaston Otamendi.
It also meant that the RMPA International
League had four different teams win the four different league
tournaments, a testament to the competitiveness of the teams in the
league.
At the RMPA Polo Ball held at the JW Marriott hotel
later that evening, the La Sarita team continued to win awards, with
their +5 goaler Diego Gaston Otamendi named Most Valuable Player in the
RMPA International League this season, and La Sarita winning the award
for Team of the Year.
King's Cup Match for 3rd Place in MOP Royal Pahang vs Thailand Polo Pahang
got off to a quick start with 2 goals by Raul Laplacette. Thailand Polo
pegged them back with the carlos Pando - Alejandro Novillo-Astrada
combination starting to click. Rain halted play with the scores tied
2-2 midway through the 2nd chukka.
When play resumed the teams traded goals.
It was a very exciting match, hard fought to the end despite the rain
making the going a little slippery at first. Royal Pahang just managed
to edge a determined Thai team 5-4to take 3rd place in the Malaysian Open Polo Tournament.
It
was the farewell match for Thailand Polo's Nicholas Kosmatos as he is
retiring from the game. Nicholas has played in the National League and
International League since its inception in 2005. He has been a strong
supporter of Malaysian polo and the RMPA Polo Leagues.
by Peter Abisheganaden
For this outstanding efforts, Benjamin Araya