Due to the adverse weather conditions, the umpires had made the decision to proceed with the game albeit with a penalty showdown.
It was a close call for Malaysia as the Thais took a 9-8 lead in the initial stage only for the two-time champions Malaysia (1983 and 2007) to turn the tables when they jousted steadily to regain the lead.
The polo squad led by Shaik Reismann Mohamed Ismail had previously beaten Singapore 13-2 and Brunei 12-3 to open a bright entrance to the 29th SEA Games edition.
YB Brig Gen Khairy Jamaluddin, the Youth and Sports Minister, was also present to lend his teammates the much needed morale support although he was not fielded this time round.
Reismann, who was pleased with the team’s performance, believes the win has lifted their spirit as they marched their way into the finals scheduled on 29 August.
“It was rather unfortunate as we didn’t manage to play a full game as the weather was unfavorable but the team has done well and we feel confident after winning our third match today.
“We hope continue with this momentum that we’ve built and we look forward to give our all in the final game. We’ve trained for months and I think this is the moment for us to show what we’re made of,” said Reismann. – BY ALVIN OH
