Fri 13th Jan 2017Final of Thai Polo Open 2017La Familia and Thai Polo share Open title
Today saw the highlight of the Thai season as guests from across South East Asia journeyed to Thai Polo & Equestrian Club to enjoy the final day of The Thai Open. Guests were treated to fantastic Asian fusion food, a stunning Dressage Freestyle display and a nerve-racking Show Jumping Qualifier for the South East Asian Games in advance of the Final. By the time finalists La Familia and Thai Polo took to the fields, the atmosphere was electric as the crowd enthusiastically supported their favourite players. The first chukka erupted as umpire Peter Wright threw the ball in and the crowd were treated to a subsequent seven minutes of end-to-end polo as both teams tried to secure an early advantage. Gines Bargallo’s powerful clearances from deep in the La Familia half following concerted Thai Polo pressure were particular highlights. However, the scoreline was deceptively low, with Thai Polo leading 1-0 at the end of the first chukka. The second chukka was similarly charged with fast, frenetic and physical polo as both teams battled it out to claim the ascendency before the half-time whistle. With just two minutes left on the clock and Thai Polo leading, 3-1, it looked as if Thai Polo would take the lead into the second half. However, Man of the Match, Mohammed Moiz, scored two goals in blistering succession for his La Familia team, resulting in a momentum shifting, 3-3, score going into the third chukka. Unfortunately, having been blessed with stunning weather for most of the day, the heavens opened during half-time. As such, over the third chukka all players struggled to control the ball in the wet conditions. Following consistent pressure, Thai Polo were leading, 4-3, when Harald Link’s pony slipped and fell as he defended the Thai Polo goal. Although both player and pony did recover, Link and Moiz gentlemanly decided to share the title of the 2017 Thai Polo Open owing to the worsening conditions on the field. This is the first time that The Thai Polo Open has been shared between two teams in its 13 year history and is testament to the emphasis on sportsmanship that was projected by all teams throughout the tournament. Thai Polo Open 2017 Final results: 1. La Familia / Thai Polo 3. Axus 4. Royal Pahang 5. Malaysia National Team Photography: The 2017 Thai Open teams celebrate. By Richard Hine/Polo Times |