Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: FG Polo Team clinched a decisive 8-5 victory against DS Polo Team in the opening match of the Bank Alfalah National Open Polo Championship for the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2024 held here on Tuesday at the Lahore Polo Club, marked the commencement of this year's premier tournament.
The event attracted a considerable audience, with Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, members of the executive committee, the secretary Lt Col (R) Aamir Umar, and numerous families in attendance, all watched and enjoyed the high-caliber polo action on display.
FG Polo's performance was highlighted by the exceptional play of their seven-goal Argentinean star, Raul Laplacette, whose skillful handling of both mallet and polo pony captivated the audience. Laplacette was instrumental in the team's success, scoring five impressive goals. His teammates, Andres Llorente and Mian Abbas Mukhtar, also made significant contributions, with Llorente scoring twice and Mukhtar adding one goal to the tally. On the opposing side, DS Polo's English talent, Maxwell Charlton, single-handedly matched FG Polo's intensity by netting all five of his team's goals.
The match began with FG Polo quickly establishing a lead through a successful 30-yard penalty conversion. However, DS Polo responded in kind, leveling the score 1-1 with a 30-yard penalty of their own. FG Polo managed to edge ahead with a field goal just before the first chukker ended, securing a 2-1 lead. The second chukker saw both teams exchanging goals, maintaining FG Polo's slender 3-2 lead.
As the match progressed into the third chukker, FG Polo extended their lead with two additional goals, while DS Polo managed a single goal in response. Despite DS Polo narrowing the gap to 4-5 with a 60-yard penalty at the start of the fourth chukker, FG Polo unleashed a flurry of three consecutive goals to solidify their dominance at 8-4. A late penalty conversion by DS Polo brought the final score to 8-5, but it was not enough to overturn FG Polo's commanding lead.
The match was officiated by field umpires Mark Homes and Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, with Martin Gandara serving as the match referee. The championship continues with Diamond Paints/Master Paints facing off against Olympia/AZB Polo in what promises to be another captivating match at the Lahore Polo Club.
