HABTOOR POLO AND ZEDAN SCORED OPENING WINS
By Gonzalo Etcheverry
The McLaren Cup, the opening Trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2018, 18-goals handicap competition, began on Friday with victories by Habtoor Polo and Zedan Polo in an exciting double action day at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. Habtoor Polo defeated Wolves Polo by 5 goals to 4 and Zedan Polo defeated UAE Polo by 8-7. Two close matches for an exciting opening day followed by a huge crowd at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.
In the first game, Habtoor Polo, patrons Mohammed Al Habtoor’s team, played a good first half but in the last two chukkers, with Wolves putting a lot of pressure on them, leveled the match. The talented 8-goaler, Francisco Elizalde, took control of the actions and scored the decisive goal in the last chukker for Habtoor Polo’s 5-4 victory. Fran Elizalde was the top scorer in the winning team with 3 goals and Habtoor Al Habtoor, with 2, the top scorer of Wolves Polo Team.
Score Habtoor Polo: 2-0, 3-2, 4-3, 4-3, 5-4.
In the second match of the day, Zedan Polo achieved a great victory against UAE Polo by 8 goals to 7 in a very close and thrilling game. Zedan Polo, patron Amr Zedan’s team, began the match at full speed for a 3-1 lead in the first seven minutes. But quick comeback by patron HH Sheika Maitha’s team, put UAE Polo on the lead by 5-4 at the end of the second chukker. The answer was immediate by Zedan to get back again in the lead by 7-5 in the third chukker.
The second half of the match was a come-and-go with both teams playing at a great level and battling hard for the victory. The fourth chukker ended by 7 goals a piece and in the last 7 minutes both teams had several occasions to close the game. But finally it was Pablo Mac Donough, 10-goaler superstar, after scoring a 60 yard penalty that gave Zedan Polo the victory by 8 goals to 7. Polito Pieres was the top scorer of the match with 5 goals and Mac Donough, with 4, the top scorer for Zedan.
Score Zedan Polo: 3-1, 4-5, 7-5, 7-7, 8-7.
The McLaren Silver Cup will continue on Monday with the following order of play:
2pm: Mahra Polo vs Bin Drai Polo
Followed by: UAE Polo vs Wolves
Picture Galleries:
Habtoor Polo vs Wolves
Zedan Polo vs UAE Polo
Socials & Around the Field
All matches will be streamed live on Pololine TV via Polocam.
DUBAI SILVER CUP: Fixture & Teams