14th Manipur Polo International : Manipur edge past UK 8-7; both teams qualify for final
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 27 2022:
The USA conceded their match against India-A in the beginning of the 3rd Chukkar in the 1st ground while India-B (Manipur) overcame a spirited challenge from the UK team to emerge victorious 8-7 in the 2nd ground on the sixth day of the 14th Manipur Polo International organized by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at Mapal Kangjeibung on November 27 .
India-A were declared winners against the USA team in the first match following an argument between the teams over a foul.
The second match, as expected, turned out to be one of the most exciting matches of this tournament.
The match was a very hard fought one, played at a very fast pace, each team not yielding an inch to the other.
Pradeep opened the score for Manipur from a 40-yard spot kick in the 1,05th minute of the first chukker while L Rohit added another in the dying seconds of the chukker.
For the UK side Phil Seller scored twice (5.14th minute and 5.57th minute) while Henry Tucker added one to give the UK team a 3-2 first chukker lead.
In the 2nd chukker, the two teams added one goal apiece, George Amore scoring for the UK with a beautiful stick work in the 1.17th minute and L Rohit scoring for Manipur in 6.55th minute.
The UK team continued to lead till third chukker with both the teams scoring two goals each.
Phil Seller, who had a wonderful match, scored both the goals for the UK team while L Atangba and P Ojit scored for Manipur.
It was in the fourth chukker that the host team scrapped past the UK team pumping in 3 goals, two coming from the stick of L Atangba and other from captain T Pradeepkumar as the UK team could add only one goal through Henry Amor.
Eventually Manipur and UK emerged first and second in the league table of the tournament and qualified for the final slated to be held on November 29 .
Source: MHRPA Release.