Polo Int’l: Manipur down USA 9-5; India A trounce Indian Navy 7-2

Imphal: Indian A defeated Indian Navy 6-2 in the 1^st ground while India B (Manipur) won over the USA team 9-5 in the 2^nd ground on the fifth day of the 14^th Manipur Polo International tournament organized by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at Mapal Kangjeibung here Saturday, November 26.

With Saturday’s loss, the Indian Navy exited the tournament without a single win to its credit from the four matches it played. But even though it lost in its last match against India A, the Indian Navy gave a much improved display.

The India A team opened its account with a goal in the 6.20^th minute in the 1^st chukker from Ranshay Purohit . Hurr-Ali then increased the lead in the 2^nd chukker to 2-0 for India A as Indian Navy failed to find the goal in both the chukkers.

In the 3^rd chukker, both the teams drew a blank. But in the 4^th chukker, Indian swamped the Navy team with as many as four goals, two coming from Hurr-Ali and one each from Ranshay Purohit and Santosh. Indian Navy managed to pull back two goals, both scored by Cdr Panchal but by then it was too late for recovery leaving India A winner by 6-2.

In the 2^nd match, USA was the first to draw blood as Jorge Vasquez scored in the 1.40^th minute of the 1^st chukker. P Ojit leveled the score for Manipur in the 2.00nd minute. JP Vasquez scored for the USA team inWith Saturday’s loss, the Indian Navy exited the tournament without a single win to its credit from the four matches it played the 3.13^th and T Pradeepkumar replied with a goal from a beautifully executed 30 yards hit in the 3.40^th minute to at the end the chukker with both teams level at 2 goals each.

Manipur captain T Pradeepkumar scored from 30 yards hit (awarded at the end of 1^st chukker) in the .04^th minute of the 2^nd chukker. P Ojit struck twice in this chukker (.14^th minute and .35^th minute) while L Atangba added another in the 6.16^th minute for Manipur to surge ahead 6-2, even as the USA team failed to add their tally in this chukker.

The honours were evenly shared in the 3^rd chukker, as both the teams scored one goal each. P Ojit scored for Manipur in the 7.05^th minute while JP Vasquez scored for the USA team in the 4.21 minute. At the end of the 3^rd chukker, Manipur led 7-3 against the USA team.

L Rohit who came in place of Thomson scored in the 2.55^th minute of the last chukker while L Atangba scored another goal for Manipur in the 3.55^th minute. For the USA team, Will Boland and JP Vasquez scored in the 4.17^th and 5.13rd minute respectively. The final score Manipur 9 goals and USA 5 Goals.

On November 27, 2022, the sixth day of the 14^th Manipur Polo International, USA will take on India A while UK will clash with India B (Manipur).