Abu Dhabi and Ghantoot qualified to the championship match of the Emirates Polo Championship International, following their wins against Bin Drai and Lamar, respectively, in the semifinals that were played on Thursday February 1 at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The tournament sees six teams between 10 and 12 goals, in participation. It is worth to note that the 12-goal level already have the first champion, Bin Drai, who claimed the EMAAR Cup, on January 13.
The first semifinal went to Abu Dhabi, who were victorious over Bin Drai by an impressive 10.5-3 win; up next, title holders, Ghantoot, beat Lamar by a narrow 10-9, in extra chukka, with a golden goal produced by Oscar Colombres.
THE EMIRATES POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL IS STREAMED ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
EMIRATES POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL – SEMIFINALS – THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1
SEMIFINAL #1 – ABU DHABI 10.5-3 BIN DRAI
Abu Dhabi: Bautista Bello 4, Faris Al Yabhouni 0, Hugo Barabucci 3, Tomás Delfino 4. Total: 11.
Bin Drai: Esteban Panelo 5, Kian Hall 3, Khalid Bin Drai 1, Marcos Solari 2. Total: Total: 11.
Score Abu Dhabi: (0.5-0) 2.5-0, 5.5-1, 7.5-2, 10.5-3.
RELIVE ABU DHABI vs. BIN DRAI HERE. (POLOLINE TV)
SEMIFINAL # 2 – GHANTOOT 10-9 LAMAR (chukker suplementario)
Ghantoot: César Crespo 6, Oscar Colombres 3, Nasser Al Shamsi 1, Santos Iriarte 2. Total: 12.
Lamar: Javier Guerrero 6, Khalid Al Omran 0, Ricardo Garrós 6, Rayyan Al Ajaji 0. Total: 12.
Score Ghantoot: 0-3, 4-5, 6-7, 9-9, 10-9.
The order of play of the finals of the Emirates Polo Championship International, due on Sunday February 4, is the following:
Subsidiary Final
2,30pm: AM Polo vs. Bhansali
Final Emirates Polo Championship International
4,30pm: Ghantoot vs. Abu Dhabi