LAHORE: Juan Cruz Losada’s heroics helped Newage/Master Paints snatch victory from high-flying Ravi Auto by 8-7 in the crucial qualifying match for the main final of National Open Polo for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup sponsored by Bank Alfalah.
Ravi Auto were winning the match by 7-5 margin in the fifth and last chukkerS, when phenomenal Losada turned the tables of the match by displaying fantabulous polo skills and thwarted three back-to-back goals in the dying moments of the match to snatch the victory from the jaws of defeat. This magnificent and sterling performance not only made Losada ultimate hero of the day, but also impressed the spectators, who kept on cheering and clapping for him after this inspirational victory. From the winning side, Losada converted six out of eight goals while the remaining two were scored by his teammate Hissam Ali Hyder. From the losing side, Guy Gibrat (4), Saqib Khan Khakwani (2), Raja Taimur Nadeem (1) were the key contributors.
The second encounter of the day between Master Paints (Black) and Barry’s ended in a 7-7 draw. Both the teams displayed quality polo skills and after the impressive fight in all the five chukkers, the match ended in a 7-7 draw. From Master Paints, Ahmed Ali Tiwana struck three while Sufi M Haris and Andres Crispo thwarted two goals each while from Barry’s, Raja Samiullah and Hamza Mawaz Khan hammered three goals each and George Meyrick contributed one.
