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T H A I P O L O O P E N , T H A I P O L O & E Q U E S T R I A N C L U B , P A T T A Y A , T H A I L A N D , J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8
A C T I O N
The most prestigious polo tournament in
Southeast Asia, the Thai Polo Open, saw six
12-goal teams, from Thailand, Malaysia and
China, battle it out for the title at Thai Polo
& Equestrian Club in Pattaya, Thailand. The
edition was the most competitive to date,
with many high-goal players fighting for their
teams, and a penalty shootout necessary to
set the semi-finals.
Surprisingly, 2016 winners 22BR and
locals Thai Polo failed to qualify for the
semis. After beating Winson Rao’s Fast Fish,
Brian Xu’s team Axus, captained by Dario
Musso, qualified for the final undefeated.
Malaysian team Royal Pahang managed to
conquer La Familia and reach the last match
with one loss, suffered against Axus.
Royal Pahang, formed of HH Tengku
Muhammad, HH Tengku Amir Nasser and
Argentine professionals Tomás Gandara
and Tomás Fernández Llorente, were not in
a position to repeat their mistakes. They
came out with full force in the final, gaining
a 4–1.5 advantage over Axus by halftime.
MVP Gandara and 7-goal Fernández Llorente
complemented each other perfectly, as Royal
Pahang continued to dominate the play and
increased their lead in the fourth. Axus made
a slight comeback in the fifth and final
chukka, but it was too late: Royal Pahang
claimed the 6–4.5 win and a new Thai Polo
Open champion was crowned.
The Subsidiary Final also added to the
excitement of the day, as Dato’ Mohamed
Moiz’s La Familia left no doubt that they were
the superior team, beating Fast Fish by four
goals and securing third place. In usual Thai
Polo fashion, the Open not only highlighted
the beauty of the sport, but also gave
spectators a delicious offering of dishes
from around the world. Her Royal Highness
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
was among the guests who enjoyed the
post-match cocktail party hosted by Thai Polo
owners Harald Link and Nunthinee Tanner.
T H A I P O L O O P E N
The contest displayed the beauty and competitiveness of polo, and ended
with a bang – and a few cocktails, says Carolina Beresford
HRH Princess Sirivannavari
Nariratana (left) and Colonel
Vithai Laithomya
DOMINIC JAMES
