Malaysia takes on New Zealand for the right to represent Zone D at the 2017 FIP World Polo Championships on Thursday 2nd February at RMPA’s associate club Thai Polo & Equestrian Club. At stake is a place in the Sydney World Championship Final in October.
The host country, Australia, does not need to qualify as they have an assured place as hosts. Defending champions, Chile, are also guaranteed a place. Argentina went through Zone b undefeated to book their ticket to Sydney. Thursday’s match will decide if New Zealand or Malaysia will join those teams there.
The Malaysian side has been assembled and has been training under coach Federico Bachmann. The Malaysian team is:
- Amran Selamat 3 goals
- Tengku Shazril 3
- Shaik Reismann 3
- Saladin Mazlan 3
Team Total is 12 goals
Team Manager: Dato’ Mohamad Zekri Ibrahim
New Zealand is represented by:
- Henry Wood 2 goals
- Henry Jones 3
- Glenn Sherriff 5
- Cody Forsyth 4
Team Total is 14 goals
Team Manager: Richard Hunt
New Zealand
Richard Hunt – Manager
Well known in the polo world for his straight talking and being a manager not to mince his words.
Bound to keep the team on point in the campaign.
Cody Forsyth – 4 goals 57 years old
A player of distinction known worldwide.
A high goal player in his younger days but still a player deserving respect.
He will captain this young team with great skill and management.
Henry Wood – 2 goals 22 years old
An up and coming young player from the polo playing Roddy Wood stable.
The youngest of three brothers.
Henry has good skills along with charm and good looks!
Glenn Sheriff – 5 goals – 29 years old
A big strong player.
Glenn will add some real power to this team.
A player originating from the East coast of the North island.
Glenn knows how to make a difference.
Watch him !
Henry Jones – 3 goals – 25 years old
Another Henry in the New Zealand team.
This Henry hails from the well known Jones stable in Auckland – father Nick and uncle Chris.
Henry has spent time in Argentina honing his polo skills.
A young player with potential and one to watch.
Malaysia
Amran Selamat
Amran started his career in 1998 at his home club, Royal Pahang Polo Club. He has played for them in the RMPA International League and for other teams in the National and Merdeka Leagues since its inception in 2005. Amran is the polo manager of Royal Pahang Polo Club. Recently put down to 2 goals, but playing off 3 goals in this World Cup Playoff.
HH Prince Ahmad Shazril
From Kuantan, Tengku Shazril started playing in 2001 at the Royal Pahang Polo Club. Tengku Shazril or Along, as he is known, was a star at the 2007 South East Asian Games in Thailand, winning a gold medal. Along is the top ranked Malaysian players on the PEPPR rankings. He was MVP at the Merdeka League Final (4 goal) and RMPA Open (12 goal) He is based in Malaysia with Royal Pahang Polo Club. 3 goals.
Saladin Mazlan
From Selangor, Saladin started playing at the young age of 10 in the Royal Selangor Polo Club. Saladin represented Malaysia at the South East Asian Game in Thailand in 2007 and World Cup Zone D Playoffs in 2011. While Saladin plays most of his polo in Malaysia, he has also recently played professionally in China, Korea, Philippines and Thailand. A talented sportsman, Saladin is also one of Asia’s best rally drivers. He also enjoys fishing and hunting. 3 goals.
Shaik Reismann
Team Captain. Shaik started playing at the age of 13 in Millfield School, England. Since then he has represented Malaysia in many international tournaments playing in Malaysia, Thailand, England, Australia, New Zealand, India and the Phillipines. A SEA Games gold medalist, Shaik is an accomplished horseman who has qualified as a racehorse trainer and horse dentist. Shaik also enjoys fly fishing and photography. This is his third World Cup Playoffs, having played in India in 2000 and Malaysia in 2011. He was a gold medal winner at the 2007 South East Asian Game in Thailand. Shaik is the Polo Captain of the Royal Selangor Polo Club and a player manager with La Familia. 3 goals.
Team Coach
Federico Bachmann
Federico is a professional player from Argentina who has played top polo around the world. This is his first appointment as a team coach.
Team Manager
Dato’ Mohamad Zekri Ibrahim
Dato’ Zekri is Treasurer of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association and a committee member of the Royal Selangor Polo Club and Putra Polo Club. He is a one-goal player that has played in the RMPA International League (14 goal) since 2009.
FIP appointed officials for these playoffs are:
Tournament Director: Peter Abisheganaden
Horse Master: Gines Bargallo
Umpires: Daniel Boudou, Steven Evans and Ben Turner
Chief Steward: John D Fischer