Habtoor remained undefeated after their last league match of the Silver Cup, with 11-10,5 win over UAE. The clash between the two lineups who are already in the semifinals of the first competition of the Dubai Gold Cup Series, took place at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
UAE, who received 1,5 goal on handicap, got off to a strong start, overwhelming Habtooor during the first chukka. Slowly, and commanded by their top scorer, Facundo Sola, Habtoor was able to close the gap until they reached half time with the scoreboard reading a tight 6,5 – 6.
Habtoor claimed their first lead in the match by the end of the fourth chukka (8 – 7,5), following two goals by Felix Esain. Despite Tommy Beresford quickly leveled the scores through a 60-yards penalty conversion, it was Facundo Sola who produced a fantastic neckshot goal to widen the advantage to 8 – 7,5.
But far from giving up, UAE put pressure thoroghout the last chukka, while Habtoor managed to hold them up. UAE re-took the lead – 10,5 – 10 – with a goal by Tommy Beresford, but Facundo Sola did it again – with only seconds to go, he scored a great goal to seal the deal, and secured Habtoor’s 11 – 10, 5 win.
The semifinal matchups will be determined on Saturday February 1, and the order of play is the following:
2pm: Zedan vs. AM/UAE
4pm: Ghantoot vs. Dubai Wolves
ALL THE GAMES OF THE WILVER CUP ARE STREAMED LIVE ON PoloLine TV.
HABTOOR 11 vs. UAE 10,5
HABTOOR: Facundo Sola 9 (7 goals, 2 penalties), Min Podestá 7 (2), Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, Felix Esain 2 (2).
UAE: Tommy Beresford 6 (3, 1 penalty), Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6 (4, 2 penales), Benjamin Panelo 4 (2).
Score Habtoor (UAE 1,5): 1-4.5, 3-5.5, 6-6.5, 8-7.5, 11-10.5.
IMAGES
2020 DUBAI GOLD CUP SERIES CALENDAR:
SILVER CUP (18 goal): Jan 24 – Feb 07.
POLO MASTERS CUP (10 goal): Feb 10-12.
GOLD CUP: (18 goal): Feb 15 – Mar 06.
DUBAI CHALLENGE CUP (10 goal): Mar 14-21.
DUBAI CUP (8 Goal): Apr 01-10.