The Brunei Polo Team put up a spirited performance but ultimately lost to Team Malaysia by a score of 5.5-9 in the preliminary round of the 4-6 Goals event of the Polo Competition during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the VS Sports Club and Polo Siam Park in Samut Prakan in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday.

The Brunei Polo Team consisted of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar, and Farid Abdullah.

Brunei’s Polo Team Coach Guillermo Willington Arias commented, “In the first chukka, Malaysia won the first ball thrown in and moved up the field, scoring a 30-yard foul to take a 1.5-1 lead over Brunei. Brunei then won the throw-in, setting up a great linkup between Farid and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar, who scored to give Brunei a 2.5-1 lead. At half-time, play resumed with a drop ball for Malaysia. Brunei won a 60-yard penalty, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar scored again, extending the lead to 3.5-1.”

“Malaysia won a throw-in and attacked well, winning a 60-yard penalty, but the ball went wide to the right. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar then hit the ball well, winning a foul and advancing to the halfway mark. However, his attempt was just wide to the right.

Malaysia won a 40-yard penalty and scored, bringing the score to 3.5-2 at the end of the first chukka.”

In the second chukka, Malaysia won the throw-in and began to attack, but Brunei defended well. Farid rode the line and won a spot hit. Brunei moved beyond halfway, but Malaysia counter-attacked and scored to close the gap at 3.5-3. Malaysia continued to apply pressure, but Brunei defended well, and the ball went wide.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar brought the ball in and moved up the field, hitting into the danger zone, but Malaysia cleared it from the goalmouth. Malaysia was awarded a 40-yard penalty and scored to take the lead 3.5-4.

In the third chukka, Malaysia took the ball the length of the field and scored successfully to extend their lead to 3.5-5. The game was briefly paused when His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen went down. The play resumed with a drop ball, and Farid scored with a great open backhand, cutting Malaysia’s lead to 4.5-5. It continued in favour of Brunei, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar found His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, but the whistle blew for a spot hit to Malaysia, who then ran the ball in to score, leading 4.5-6.

Brunei won the throw-in, and Farid ran the ball in, with Malaysia hitting the ball over their back line. Brunei was awarded a 60-yard safety.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar made a solid attempt, but Malaysia counter-attacked, reaching halfway before Farid won possession and drew a foul. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar attempted a long shot but it went just wide to the right.

In the fourth chukka, Brunei started strong with good play between Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, but the ball went wide.

Malaysia hit in and was awarded a foul at the halfway mark. Malaysia was then granted a spot hit within 30 yards of goal and scored to extend their lead to 4.5-7. Malaysia won the next throw-in and scored again, taking a 4.5-8 lead. They added another counter-attack goal, bringing the score to 4.5-9.

Brunei’s team managed to score one final goal through great teamwork, ending the match with a scoreline of 5.5-9. – James Kon

Courtesy from Borneo Bulletin