In yesterday’s semi-finals Bin Drai defeated Abu Dhabi by 9-6 and Desert Palm won against UAE Polo Team by 8-5. This means that Bin Drai and Desert Palm have qualified for tomorrow’s final.
The first match between Abu Dhabi and Bin Drai was characterized by a lot of passion and was highly competitive. Alfredo Cappella (+6) scored the first goal and thanks to this Abu Dhabi took the lead after two minutes of play. But it was only two more minutes until Raul Laplacette (+6) tied it up, followed by a goal by Tomas Iriarte (+4). Bin Drai was in the lead – and would stay on top until the end of the match. Though Abu Dhabi gave their all and moved closer again and again, they had no chance winning against Bin Drai with the outstanding playing Raul Laplacette.
Bin Drai’s player Mohammad Bin Drai (0) was satisfied with his team’s performance: “I am so pleased with qualifying for the final, especially after a hard-fought 9-6 win over a highly competitive team like Abu Dhabi. With well-organized players, our team won the game in a worthily manner.”
Bin Drai was the first team to make it to the final. But which team would be their opponent? This was decided in the second match of the day, with Desert Palm and UAE Polo Team fighting for a place in the final match.
After two even chukkas, Desert Palm pressed forward and scored four times in the third chukka. Above all, 5-goaler Santiago Laborde shone and scored five out of eight goals during the whole match for Desert Palm. In the final chukka, UAE Polo Team did not succeed in making up leeway and Desert Palm emerged victorious by 8-5, becoming second finalist.
UAE Polo Team’s captain H.H Sheika Maitha: “Uprightly, our team played well, despite we were so near to win, but good fortune was not on our side. The game was totally thrilling through the fourth chukkas.”
Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Managing Director of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club: “Both semi-finals were breathtaking, highlighting the importance of this tournament played by the world’s best players. Because of high preparations and best management of Ghantoot Club and our kind partners, HH President of UAE Polo Cup’s fan base extended greater than before. Even international polo organizations described the cup as one of the best polo tournaments in the world.”
The final between Bin Drai and Desert Palm will be held tomorrow, Friday, January 24th, at 5.00 pm (local time). The match for third place will take place beforehand at 3.00 pm (local time) with Abu Dhabi encountering UAE Polo Team. Abu Dhabi Sport and Dubai Sport will broadcast both games live.
Among the family activities on offer during the Final Day will be shows supported by Sheikh Mohammed Sports and Physical Fitness Programme, a Dubai Police dog show, DJ music and adventure games. Also on the itinerary are a performance by the Abu Dhabi Police Band, a military sky dive show and a show by the UAE National Aerobatic Team – Al Fursan. The venue will host a picnic area, children’s entertainment playground and a food court, making it an ideal setup for adults and children to spend a special day.
The HH President of UAE Polo Cup is being organised by the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club (GRPC) and is hosted under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the GRPC. The event is presented by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and the Official Partner is Al Basti Equiworld. Until January 24th a total of eight teams with a team handicap of 16-goals will compete against each other at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, located at the gates of Abu Dhabi. As an exclusive polo media partner and new media partner of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, POLO+10 reports from one of the most renowned and prestigious clubs in the region.
The results:
Tuesday, January 14th, 2014
|
UAE Polo |
: |
Al Habtoor Polo |
5 |
: |
6 |
|
Bin Drai Polo |
: |
Ghantoot Al Basti Polo |
6 |
: |
5 |
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014
|
Abu Dhabi Polo |
: |
Desert Palm Polo |
8 |
: |
4 |
|
Zedan Polo |
: |
ADCB Polo from Ghantoot |
6 |
: |
9 |
Friday, January 17th, 2014
|
UAE Polo |
: |
Ghantoot Al Basti Polo |
11 |
: |
5 |
|
Bin Drai Polo |
: |
Al Habtoor Polo |
8 |
: |
5 |
Saturday, January 18th, 2014
|
Zedan Polo |
: |
Desert Palm Polo |
5 |
: |
9 |
|
Abu Dhabi Polo |
: |
ADCB Polo from Ghantoot |
9 |
: |
8 |
Sunday, January 19th, 2014
|
Bin Drai Polo |
: |
UAE Polo |
8 |
: |
9 |
|
Ghantoot Al Basti Polo |
: |
Al Habtoor Polo |
8 |
: |
7 |
Monday, January 20th, 2014
|
Desert Palm Polo |
: |
ADCB Polo from Ghantoot |
5 |
: |
4 |
|
Abu Dhabi Polo |
: |
Zedan Polo |
5 |
: |
7 |
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014
|
Abu Dhabi Polo |
: |
Bin Drai Polo |
6 |
: |
9 |
|
UAE Polo |
: |
Desert Palm Polo |
5 |
: |
8 |
The teams:
Group A
Bin Drai Polo (+16)
Mohammed Bin Drai (0)
Tomas Iriarte (+4)
Manuel Llorente (+6)
Raul Laplacette (+6)
Ghantoot Al Basti Polo (+16)
Nasser Al Shamsi (+1)
Diego Cossio (+4)
Juan Zavaleta (+7)
Oscar Colombres (+4)
UAE Polo (+16)
HH Shaikha Maitha (0)
Tomas Gagliardi (+2)
Ollie Cudmore (+5)
Lucas Monteverde (+9)
Al Habtoor Polo (+16)
Habtoor Al Habtoor (0)
Santiago Romero (+3)
Francisco Elizalde (+7)
Guillemo Cuitino (+6)
Group B
Abu Dhabi Polo (+16)
Faris Al Yabhouni (0)
Victorio Monteverde (+3)
Juan Storni (+7)
Alfredo Cappella (+6)
Desert Palm Polo (+15)
Tariq Albwardy (0)
Matias Machado (+4)
Santiago Laborde (+5)
Alejo Taranco (+6)
Zedan Polo (+16)
Amr Zedan (0)
Luis Gagliardi (+2)
Felipe Viana (+4)
Pelon Stirling (+10)
ADCB Team from Ghantoot (+16)
Ali Al Merri (0)
Juan Zubiaurre (+4)
Facundo Sola (+8) / Juan Zavalita
Pelayo Berazadi (+4)
For more information:
www.presidentpolocup.ae
www.facebook.com/GhantootPolo
twitter.com/GhantootPolo
