March 11, 2002	Monday	Zilhaj 26, 1422

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LAHORE, March 10: Diego Araya scored five goals, including  a hat trick,  to give Samsung Blues an exciting 8-6 win over Remounts/Master Paints in final of the Samsung National Open polo championship at Lahore Polo Club Sunday.

KFC/Remounts got third position.

The contest marked end of the 2001-2002 polo season. However, low-goal handicap competitions will continue for some weeks.

Both teams were tied at 4-4 at conclusion of third chukker and thereafter, Araya scored three quick goals in succession to finish chances of Remounts/Master Paints.

For Remounts/Master Paints, Dielia Toto opened scoring with a field goal after a long chase while Gerardo Mazzini converted a 60 yards penalty-hit during first chukker.

In between, Diego Araya converted a 30 yards penalty-hit for Samsung Blues.

Mazzini converted another 30 yards penalty-hit at beginning of second chukker for Remounts/ Master Paints while Ahmad Khan scored his only goal on a pass from Mazzini. For Samsung Blues, Taimur Mawaz Khan and Faaiz Rahim Khan scored field goals with backhanders.

Araya scored only goal of third chukker when his lofted shot was deflected into goal from Ahmad Khan’s stick. Both teams were on even keel at 4-4.

Fourth chukker belonged to Araya. He crowned a solo effort by scoring with a long hit. When Araya converted a spot penalty near the goalpost, he completed his hat-trick and increased Samsung Blues lead to 6-4.

Araya crowned a team effort to further enhance the lead (7-6). Sufi Muhammad Amir converted a spot penalty near the goalpost to reduce margin (5-7) for Remounts/Master Paints.

During fifth chukker, Taimur Mawaz Khan scored his second and Samsung Blues’ eighth goal after a long chase. Mazzini converted a 40 yards penalty-hit to make the score 6-8 but that was the best thing the Remounts/ Master Paints quartet could do.

TEAMS:

Samsung Blues: Faaiz Rahim Khan (1), Malik Atif Yar Tiwana (3), Diego Araya (7), Taimur Mawaz Khan “Tony” (2).

Remounts/Master Paints: Sufi Muhammad Amir (0), Ahmad Khan (3), Dielia Toto (4), Gerardo Mazzini (7).

Umpires: Shah Shamyl Alam & Umer Sadik. Referee: Captain Azhar Ali.

Most valuable foreign player: Gerardo Mazzini.

Most valuable Pakistani player: Malik Atif Yar Tiwana.

Most improved player (-2 category to 0 category): Zain Khakwani.

Most improved player (0 to 2 category): Ahmad Nawaz Tiwana.

Best playing pony: U-2 ridden by Shah Shamyl Alam.