16 March 2021, Dubai, UAE: The third day of the Dubai Challenge Cup ended with double victories for Battistoni Polo and UAE Polo teams.
The first match of the afternoon featured Battistoni and Baylandi Polo, teams. Tomy Iriarte scored the first 2 goals which gave Battistoni Polo a head start in the game. The team increased their lead by the end of the by half time with the consecutive goals delivered by Tomy. The significant goal lead that Battistoni Polo had created was enough to secure the win at 7 goals to 3.
Match Progression: 2 – 0 | 0 – 5 | 5 – 1 | 7 – 3
The second half of the afternoon had spectators at the edge of their seats as UAE Polo and Bin Drai Polo teams brought their A-game on the field. Jacinto Crotto grabbed the initial lead for the UAE Polo team and was backed by a penalty shot from the team‘s patron – Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Quick to catch up was Rashid Bin Drai scoring 2 goals for the team that levelled the game by halftime. Defending the UAE Polo team‘s initial lead, Raja Abuljebain scored a last-second goal by the end of the penultimate chukker. The fourth chukker had UAE Polo team seem like it was close to victory however, Bin Drai Polo team‘s patron – Khalid Bin Drai nicked a goal at the very last second that resulted in a fifth chukker. Both teams raced to score the golden goal and it was Jacinto Crotto taking home the win for UAE Polo at 7 goals to 6.
Match Progression: 2 -1 | 3 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 6 – 6 | 7 – 6
The Dubai Challenge Cup 2021 will continue on the 17th of March at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Dubai Wolves will play against AM Polo at 15:15 and Tratok-Hesketh Polo will compete with IFZA – Mahra Polo at 16:30.
Images: © Khalil Ali / ShineTV
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