Published on January 31, 2005

[POLO] In-form Thailand A landed the prestigious trophy yesterday after brushing aside Dubai 10-7 in the final of the Thailand Polo King's Cup Tournament at the Siam Polo Park in Pattaya.

With an unbeaten run in the eight-day tournament capped by yesterday's dramatic win over Dubai, Thailand A not only retained their title, but captured the King's Cup for the third successive year.

Competing over six chukkas yesterday, both sides started strongly and were drawn at 4-4 after the end of the third chukka. Thailand A, spearheaded by world champion Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, took the better handicap advantage (12-11) to launch waves of attack in the fourth and fifth chukkas, which saw them go out to a commanding lead of 7-5.

With the game being played at a furious pace, Thailand A’s Nattapong Prathumlee sustained an injury and the team replaced him with Vichai Raksriaksorn, president of the Thailand Equestrian Polo Association.

Vichai combined superbly with his son Aiyawatt and Cambiaso to score three more goals in the sixth and final chukka.

Bartolome Castagnola, the backbone of the Dubai team with an individual handicap of 10, tried hard to lift his team. His efforts bore fruit when Dubai scored two more goals, but it was not enough to catch Thailand A.

Argentina claimed third place after beating Malaysia 12-8 in the minor play-off.

Post your comment to this story here