Abdullah's polo team pips Al Sayegh to the post

Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Nahyan's team defeated Al Sayegh and Brothers Trading team 9-8 in a highly-contested match in the second day of the Khalifa bin Zayed Polo Championship at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club to lead the second group.

Argentine professional Javier Novillo Astrada (nine goal handicap) scored four goals but they were not enough to prevent the defeat specially as his fourth goal which tied the score at 8 goals each was nullified in less than a minute by Oscar Colombres (four goal handicap), who scored the winner for his team.

Sheikh Abdullah's team started the match with local UAE's player Nasir Al Shamsy (one goal handicap) taking the lead in the second minute. Saeed bin Derai, also one goal handicapped, soon tied the score for Al Sayegh. James Harper added the second from a 30-yard penalty shot.

Astrada lost a sitter while Colombres made it 4-1 by the end of the first Chukka. Al Sayegh took complete command of the second chukka and Ahmed Ali Abdullah added two quick goals as Astrada went on to level 4-4. Horacio Heguy scored Sheikh Abdullah's fifth goal while Harper added another.

Guillermo Villanueva scored the Al Sayegh's fifth goal, while Heguy made it 7-5 for Sheikh Abdullah's. Astrada replied for Al Sayegh by scoring their sixth goal. Harper added the eighth and again Astrada reduced the margin for Al Sayegh to finish the fourth chukka 8-7.