Australia and India record big victories
LAHORE, Dec 9: Australia and India recorded big margin wins on the second day of the 7th FIP World Cup Polo play-off at Lahore Polo Club on Tuesday.
Australia beat Iran - Analysis
Ten goals by ace Brodie Donovan, a four-goal handicapper, helped Australia thrash minnows Iran 19- 3 1/2 to register their second consecutive win. A double hat trick by Shamsheer Ali, a five goal player, enabled India to trounce Singapore 13-5 1/2 to record their first success.
**Donovan, the hero of Australia’s spectacular win against India (9-8) in the opener on Sunday, again displayed superb horsemanship and marksmanship to become the top scorer and earn the Man-of-the-Match award. **
Iran with little international exposure, missed several chances due to their inaccurate hitting, some even from very close range. They also created big gaps, allowing Australia to score goal after goal. Australia scored nine goals through penalty hits underlined the number of fouls Iran committed.
But the Iranians showed some marked improvement as compared to their performance against Pakistan on Sunday. Australian coach, Jamie Mackay dismissed a suggestion that Iranians’ performance against Pakistan and against his own team proved that the hosts were a strong side.
**" We used our horses to half their potential in order to save their energy for Saturday’s challenging match against Pakistan". ** :hoonh: Mackay said that it was a good sign that his players had quickly taken control of their steeds and with time they would improve further.
Iran’s Pakistani coach, Tariq Tareen said that it was the first time in 25 years that the Iranians were playing abroad, so they were learning and he believed that they had good future prospects. He said that he was quite satisfied with the performance of his team despite the fact that it had conceded 39 goals in the first two matches.
Donovan a penalty hit specialist, scored eight goals through penalties and two field goals. He completed his hat trick by scoring all the three goals of the first chukker to give Australia a flying start 3- 1 1/2 lead. Iranians were playing with one and a half goal handicap.
Donovan, scored his first goal with an under-the-neck shot. He struck the second after converting a 30 yard penalty hit with a lofted shot and completed hat trick cashing in on a spot penalty only four yards away.
On the rampage, the Australians added three more goals in the second chukker to increase their lead to 6- 1 1/2. Jock Mackay, who scored three goals, earned his first when he struck the ball with a cut shot. Robert Ballard, who contributed four goals, banged home his first in a similar fashion minutes later. In the dying minutes, Donovan struck his fourth goal converting a 60 yards penalty hit with a rolling shot.
Maintaining their attacking game, Australia earned three more goals in the third chukker to make it 9- 1 1/2. Mackay struck his second with an angular under- the-neck shot. Donovan capitalized on 30 yard penalty hit with a lofted shot to score his fifth goal. Ballard came to score his second when he converted a 40-yard penalty hit with a lofted shot.
The Iranians made a feeble attempt in the fourth chukker, when they scored their two goals but also conceded five goals to trail at 14- 3 1/2. Ballard scored his remaining two goals with back to back burst on field attempt, while Donovan also scored his 6th and 7th goals in this chukker converting a 30 and 40 yard penalty hits. Australian captain Adam Tolhurst who scored two goals scored his first to make the tally of the chukker.
For Iran, their captain Siamack Ilkhanizadeh scored the first goal. He scored a field goal after a short melee in front of the goalpost. Reza Behboodi scored the second by converting a 40 yards penalty with a lofted shot.
In the fifth chukker, Australia struck five more goals to make the tally. Donovan completed his tally by scoring three goals while Tolhurst and Mackay added a goal each. Forty seconds before the final whistle the horse of Sohrab Sanandaji of Iran stumbled. The rider fell on the ground and soon after his horse fell on him. He was later removed to hospital.
Tariq, later told reporters that Sohrab received injury on his head as he was struck by his helmet on which the horse fell. However, he added Sohrab who was playing his first international match in place of Bahram Jahnbani, was conscious and it seemed there was no serious injury, he added.
Donovan was declared the Man-of-the-Match.
India beat Singapore - Analysis
India, playing without their captain Sameer Suhag, who was not fit for the game, played like a champion against Singapore.They also suffered a blow when Simran Shergill fell from his horse in the dying minutes of the fourth chukker and could not come back. Bhawani Singh replaced him.
Later, Sameer appeared before the press and said that Shergill’s medical report was awaited to ascertain his fitness for the next matches. Sameer said that the tournament was still open for three strong teams–Pakistan, Australia and India and added that Indians were not demoralised after being defeated 9-8 by Australia in the opener.
**Shamsheer, who was declared Man-of-the-Match for the second consecutive time, gave India a flying start (6- 2 1/2) by completing his double hat trick in the first two chukkers. He scored two in the first and four in the second. **
Singapore, who were playing with one and a half goal handicap, scored their first goal in the second chukker through Sattar Khan Niazi, a Pakistani settled in Singapore. Ravi Rathore, who scored three goals, struck his first and the lone goal of the third chukker through a field attempt to increase India lead 7-2 1/2.
India added three more goals in the fourth chukker while Singapore two. India led 10- 3 1/2. Vishal Singh, who added three goals, scored his first goal for India while Ravi his second and Simran his solitary goal. For Singapore, Sattar and Satinder Garcha scored a goal each.
India maintained their offensive and scored three more goals in the fifth chukker conceded one only.. Vishal scored his remaining two goals while Ravi his third goal. For Singapore Satinder blasted his second goal.
