ISLAMABAD  - Five-goal hero Argentinean Matias Olmos helped 4 Horseman to win final of the Margalla Polo Cup 2015 edging out hot favourites Kalabagh team by 8 to 7½  in a breath taking match played here at Islamabad Club Polo ground Saturday. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar graced the occasion as chief guest.
It was truly a wonderful and highly entertaining match witnessed by large number of dignitaries, polo lovers and sizable crowd. Both teams displayed high quality of polo. The match kept on swinging from one way to another and nobody could guess who would be the eventual winner till the final whistle. Kalabagh team was led by international Pakistani player Samiullah, who represented country in the Polo World Cup in Chile. Kalabagh started the match with ½ goal advantage but they soon were behind as Atif scored the goal for 4 Horseman in the very first minute. But their lead didn't last long as in the very next minute, Bilal scored for Kalabagh to restore half goal advantage. Sami scored then another goal to made it 2½ to 1 in Kalabagh favour at the end of the first chukker ended.
It was all then Argentinean guest player Matias, who made all the difference, as he scored his first of the five goals to reduce the deficit to just ½. Then Osman scored to give 4 Horseman 1½ lead before Matias scored to further consolidate the lead. It looked highly unlikely that Kalabagh could do much, but hats off to Sami, who never lost hope and played with lot of courage and determination as he scored four goals to give Kalabagh 2½ goal lead. It was neck and neck battle witnessed in the last two chukkers as first it was 4½ to 4 in Kalabagh favour then it became 5½ to 4. But Matias was always there in the time of need as he scored two goals in a row to make it 6 to 5½ in 4 Horseman favour. It could have been worse for Kalabagh had Matias penalty was not stopped by his own player on two occasions and third chukker ended with Kalabagh leading 6½ to 6.
Soon after the restart in the 4th and final chukker, Kalabagh scored another goal through Sami to tighten their grip on the title as they were leading 7½ to 6, but Matias scored two late goals to give 4 Horseman 8 to 7½ lead which kept intact till the referees blew the final whistle to signal the end of grueling final. In all three teams participated in the championship. Marco Polo team bowed out at the very first hurdle after losing both their matches. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented trophies and shields to the players, while the championship trophy was handed over to the winning team 4 Horseman captain Faiz Haider, Kalabagh skipper Samiullah received runners up trophy.
While talking to the journalists Dar said he was thankful to the Islamabad Club for providing him relief from Finance Ministry after 22 months and I really enjoyed the match. “It was a fantastic final and both teams deserve equal applaud. I enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful scene of the Polo Club. We are fortunate to have Shandur, which is the most beautiful polo ground of the world. As the member of Islamabad Club I would like to contribute more and come on regular basis whenever a sports event is conducted.” Dar said Pakistan sports didn't need financial support from any country and they would raise annual sports budget and the PHF would soon get the grant after completing audit.