Zedan is the champion of The McLaren Cup after defeating Bin Drai Polo in the final by 10-9. The first trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series came to an end after an exciting polo day at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
Two great finals were held on Friday afternoon with the Hildon Cup, won by Habtoor Polo after defeating Mahra by 10-9, and the McLaren Cup achieved by Zedan.
The final day of the McLaren Cup started with a great match between Habtoor Polo and Mahra. Patron Mohammed Al Habtoor’s team achieved the Hildon Cup after a thrilling match with Guillermo Cuitiño scoring the winning goal in the final seconds of the game. The winning goal of Cuitiño came after saving a goal in his own goalposts, with a fall included, and after a great individual action running through all the field.
Zedan, with 10-goaler Pablo Mac Donough playing at great level, achieved the McLaren Cup, the first trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2016, after defeating Bin Drai by 10-9 in another great polo match. Both teams played five chukkas of great polo level and full of action.
Bin Drai had a great start to end the first chukka leading by 3-0. But a quick reaction of Zedan, with Mac Donough leading his team and scoring consecutive goals, put patron Amr Zedan’s team in the lead from the second chukka till the end.
Despite the great performance and effort of Bin Drai until the very end, Zedan always kept a two goal gap to control the game and finally achieved the well deserved McLaren Cup. Pablo Mac Donough was the MVP of the final and also the top scorer of the McLaren Cup with 27 goals (in the final match he scored 8). His mare, Paloma, was the BPP of the final.
About Dubai Polo Gold Cup
The DPGC Series has wrapped up its latest season with resounding success. Each year the tournament reaches new heights. In 2012 the Dubai Gold Cup Series was recognized by the World Polo Tour (WPT) and in January 2014 the WPT committee announce that the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series’ has enabled it’s important tournament (Gold Cup) for being the highest tournament in points within the Challenge Cup category by raising to 50 points for the winners. The certificate of entry was presented by the international polo. In 2015 marked the first time ever that the World Polo Tour (WPT) upgraded the Tournament from ‘Challenge Cup’ to the highly coveted ‘WPT Cup’, meaning winners received 60 points. The 18 goal handicap competition is now the highest handicapped event in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, ranking it among the best polo tournaments worldwide.
