Dubai: Abu Dhabi Polo Team collected their second win in the Emirates Open Polo championship when they produced a dominant display in the final chukker to efeat Maserati Polo Team by 11 goals to six.
In another match Wolves Polo Team edged Desert Palm Polo Team 8-7 in a close contest.
In-form Argentin pro Santiago Cernadas, who was te star performer for Abu Dhabi with five goals, was well supported by fellow Argentinian Patricio Cieza (3) and Faris Al Yabhouni (2).
It appeared to be anybody’s game at the end of the fourth chukker with Abu Dhabi leading by 7 goals to 6, but the match took on a different complexion in the final seven mintues.
Maserati, who had defeated the UAE Polo Team 8-2 on the opening day of the tournament being played at Ghantoot Racing & Polo club, were completely shut out in the final chukker while Abu Dhabi pumped in four goals to put the result beyond doubt.
The match tide swung like a pendulum, in the game between Wolves and Desert Palm, with the former looking an easy winner at the end of the third chukker, when they led their rivals 7 goals to 3.
However, Desert Palm regrouped in the fourth chukker, with Argentinian pro Matias Machado scoring a hat-trick as the Wolves drew blank.
Both teams appeared tentative in the final seven minutes of the game and while Machado once more struck Argentine’s Diego Gallego would score his sixth goal of the match to ensure victory for the Wolves.
Officially presented by Maserati — Premier Motors, the Emirates Open is widely regarded as one of the region’s most important polo events and attracts some of the world’s top professional players.
Five teams are competing in the 14-goal handicap level tournament which was first held in 2000.
Teams participating in this year’s event are Maserati Polo Team, Wolves Polo Team, Desert Palm Polo Team, Abu Dhabi Polo Team and UAE Polo Team.
Results
Wolves Mahra Polo Team beat Desert Palm Polo Team 8 goals to 7
Scorers
Wolves: (Diego Gallego 6; Tomas Iriare 2)
Desert Palm: Matis Machado 5; Juan Jos Stroni 2.
Abu Dhabi Polo Team beat Maserati Polo Team 11 goals to 6
Scorers
Abu Dhabi: (Santiago Cernadas 5; Patricio Cieza 3; Faris Al Yabhouni 2 Santiago Gomez Romero 1)
Maserati: (Lucas Diaz Alberdi 2; Gregorio Gelosi 2; Felipe Alberdi 2).
