Zedan and Bin Drai are the finalists of the McLaren Cup, the first trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2018, after winning their semifinal matches on Wednesday afternoon at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. In an exciting double action day, Zedan defeated Mahra by 10 goals to 6.5 while Bin Drai did the same against Wolves by a tight 7.5 to 7.
Pablo Mac Donough, ten-goaler superstar, made once again the difference after a superb third chukker that turned the game in favor of Zedan. After two even chukkers, Mac Donough started the chukker on his mare Paloma and this perfect combination never fails. Zedan Polo Team took control of the game and achieved a 3 goal gap that was decisive for the rest of the game.
Mahra fought till the very end but Zedan’s victory was never in danger and deservedly qualified to the McLaren Cup final.
Top Scorer of the match: Pablo Mac Donough: 6 goals.
Zedan: Amr Zedan 0, Gato Gándara 5, Tomás Panelo 3 (4 goals), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (6). Total: 18.
Mahra: Rashid Al Habtoor 0, Benjamín Urquiza 5 (2 goals), Isidro Strada 6 (2), Jero Del Carril 6 (2). Total: 18.
Score Zedan: 2-2.5, 4-3.5, 7-3.5, 8-4.5, 10-6.5.
The second semifinal of the day faced two teams with similar skills and the final result of the match shows it clearly. A half goal difference in favor of winners Bin Drai was vital for the final victory of patron Sunil Bin Drai, which in today’s match replaced injured Rashid Bin Drai. Both team battled during the five chukkers but it was Bin Drai the one that took the last ticket to the final of the McLaren Cup.
Top Scorers of the match: Raúl Laplacette and Manuel Crespo, 4 goals.
Bin Drai: Khalid Bin Drai 0, Andrés Laplacette 4 (3), Matías Torres Zavaleta 7 (Reemplazado por Matías Benoit), Raúl Laplacette 6 (4). Total: 18.
Wolves: Habtoor Al Habtoor 1, Matías Diego González 2, Ezequiel Martínez Ferrario 8 (3), Manuel Crespo 7 (4). Total: 18.
Score Bin Drai: 2.5-1, 4.5-2, 4.5-4, 6.5-5, 7.5-7.
The final day of the McLaren Cup will be held next Friday, (February 9th) at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club with the following order of play:
1:30pm, Hildon Cup Final: Habtoor vs UAE
4pm, McLaren Silver Cup: Zedan vs Bin Drai
Picture Galleries:
Zedan vs Mahra Polo
Bin Drai vs Wolves
Socials & Around The Field
All matches of the Dubai Gold Cup Series 2018 will be streamed live on Pololine TV via Polocam.