Rivas magic does the trick for Bank Alfalah |
||||
Jose Rivas had an absolute ball in the Aibak Polo Cup final at the
Lahore Polo Club ground, helping Bank Alfalah capture the coveted title
with a 7-5 ½ victory against Lindt Chocolate. Watched by a large gathering, which included a lot of colour, Rivas had a field day in the middle as he scored five of his team’s seven goals to easily take the honour of being the best player in the tournament\'s deciding match. The Argentinian gave a clear indication of things to come from him when he slammed back-to-back goals as the Bankers led 2-1 ½ at the end of the first chukker. Diego Araya reduced the margin for Lindt Chocolate, who enjoyed a half goal handicap going into the match. Rivas enjoyed a magic touch and it seemed that the striker could do nothing wrong. It literally was his day. He completed his hat-trick in the second chukker while Sufi Mohammad Haris kept his side in the run with a goal. Hissam Ali Hyder was on target for Bank Alfalah while Araya scored for Lindt Chocolate as the Bankers maintained their slight advantage at the end of the third chukker. The fourth was the most keenly fought and enterprising chukker of the decider as five goals were scored in it. Rivas completed his personal tally of five goals in the game with two strikes while Taimur Mawaz Khan added one. Lindt Chocolate\'s two goals in the chukker came from the sticks of Sufi Mohammad Amir and Diego Araya. Meanwhi le, Diamond Paints defeated Punjab Rangers 8 - 7 in an interesting match to take the tournament\'s third prize. It seemed that Diamond Paints had only one player on the field as he scored all of his team\'s goals in the third place playoff played before the final. Diamond Paints, riding on the superb scoring skills of Guillermo Cuitino, were leading 7-4 at the end of the third chukker. Rangers refused to give up and staged a gallant recovery in the fourth chukker with Sattar Niazi performing a hat-trick to add to his earlier goal. However, Cuitino continued his fine run in the match with a vital goal to seal the fate of the match in Diamond Paints favour. Kaisar Trimzi, who scored two goals, and Jose Iriarte, who chipped in with one, were the other scorers for Punjab Rangers. |
|
|||
