The Hindu : Sport / Polo : India defeats Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 02, 2007
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Sport - Polo

India defeats Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India improved its chances of qualifying for the polo World Cup when it rallied to defeat Pakistan 13-and-a-half to 11 in a league match of the zonal play-offs in Auckland on Thursday.

Manupal Godara and Tarun Sirohi slotted in five goals apiece as India scored its second victory after having beaten Australia in a close match on Wednesday.

On Sunday, India will play its last league encounter against South Africa, so far the only undefeated team. South Africa has four points from two matches while India has four from three matches, after having lost to New Zealand in the opening match on Monday.

Pakistan made a strong start when Qublai Alam scored two and Raja Smalullah and Hissam Hyder had one each for a flying start. India, which started with half-a-goal on handicap, had its only goal scored by Angad Kalaan's 60-yard penalty.

Godara turned the tables in the second chukker when he came up with a hat-trick as India took a slender lead, on handicap. Sirohi scored two goals in the third chukker to put India ahead before it wrapped up the match. Kalaan, who scored the opener, finished with three goals.

For Pakistan, Hyder top scored with six while Alam slotted in four and Smalullah one.

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