On 18th February 2017, the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2017 commenced and the opening matches took place at the Al Habtoor Polo Club and Resort, Dubai’s first luxury polo and equestrian community located in Dubailand. The first match was between Bin Drai and Desert Palm while the second match took place between Abu Dhabi and UAE Polo.
Bin Drai emerged as winners over Desert Palm with a score of 10-3 and Abu Dhabi won the second match defeating UAE Polo scoring 12 goals to 10.
The winning team of the first match, Bin Drai consisted of four players, Tarik Al Habtoor, Gregorio Gelosi, Francisco Elizalde and Raul Laplacette. They played calmly in the first two chukkers giving equal opportunities to the opponents but as the third chukker started, the team showed a completely different spirit and didn’t leave a chance to convert all their shots into goals. By the end of the match, the closing score was 10 goals to 3 which was a massive victory for the Bin Drai players.
Francisco Elizalde backed the title of being the top scorer scoring 5 goals .
Match Progression
Bin Drai- 1-0/ 2-3/ 5-3/ 7-3/ 10-3
Unlike the first match, the second match was quite a tough one where both the teams played equally well and it was only in the last few minutes that one team took the lead.
UAE Polo, winners of the McLaren Cup, played with a poised plan and led the game in the first two chukkers. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand made a comeback in the third chukker and scored 5 goals to 0 which gave them a lead for the rest of the match and help them ultimately secured the winning title.
UAE Polo were only one score behind, and did give a tough competition to Abu Dhabi. Patron Faris Al Yabnouni and Alfredo Capella overcame the fear of this daunting team and scored two consecutive goals in the last minute bringing the final score to 12-10.
Capella was the top scorer as well as the mvp scoring 10 goals out of which 8 were penalties.
Match Progression
Abu Dhabi- 1-3/ 3-5/ 8-5/ 9-8/ 12-10
On 19th February, another match between Mahra and Wolves Polo will take place at 2 pm followed by a match between Julius Baer Habtoor and Bangash Polo.
