Ghantoot emerged victorious of the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup following a 9-7 win over Habtoor in the final that took place on Sunday March 28, at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, set in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is the most coveted trophy of the club.
Habtoor had a stronger start by taking an early lead, but Ghantoot quickly closed the gap, in order to demonstrate why they were favourites for this final. Mohammed Al Habtoor’s foursome reached a narrow 5-4 by half time, but the fourth chukka belonged to the locals who outscored Habtoor 4-1 to seal the deal.
As a result, and beyond the individual performaces, Ghantoot finished the 18-goal season in the UAE undefeated, having won all the games of the IFZA Gold Cup and the HH President of UAE Polo Cup. A champion with powerful players and brilliant enough to make sure they were a very tough team on and off the field.
Prior to the main final, Abu Dhabi won the Subsidiary Trophy, after defeateing YAS International 9-5.
The tournament saw four teams up to 18 goals, compete.
ALL THE GAMES OF THE HH PRESIDENT OF THE UAE POLO CUP WERE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV.
HH President of UAE Polo Cup – The summary of the final
FINAL HH PRESIDENT OF UAE POLO CUP: GHANTOOT 9-7 HABTOOR
GHANTOOT POLO TEAM: Nasser Al Shamsi 1 (1 goal), César Crespo 4 (2), Pablito Llorente 6, Cacu Araya 7 (6).
HABTOOR POLO TEAM: Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, Juan Jauretche 6 (1 gol), Facundo Sola 9 (6), Félix Esaín 3.
Score Ghantoot: 1-2, 3-2, 4-5, 8-6, 9-7.
Umpires: Daniel Boudou & Tarquin Southwell.
MVP: Marcos Araya.MVP Patron: Nasser Al Shamsi.
BPP: Rockera, jugada por Cacu Araya.
BPP awarded by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Open Macedo (Sportivo x Open Tenelefe). Player: César Crespo.
SUBSIDIARY FINAL: ABU DHABI 9-5 YAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDING
ABU DHABI POLO TEAM: Faris Al Yabhouni 0, Bautista Beguerie 4, Gonzalo Deltour 6, Alfredo Cappella 8.
YAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDING: Ali Al Marri 1, Miguel Delia 4, Manuel Toccalino 6, Jacinto Crotto 7.
Score Abu Dhabi: 4-0, 6-1, 8-2, 9-2, 9-5.
Umpires: Daniel Boudou & Tarquin Southwell.