Abu Dhabi: Desert Palm won an absolute thriller as the much-awaited HH The President of the UAE Polo Cup, the most prestigious polo tournament in the country, got off to a great start in beautiful playing conditions at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Wednesday.

With just 20 seconds remaining in the fifth and final chucker of their game against the mighty Abu Dhabi Polo Team, and the scores locked at seven goals apiece, Desert Palms Santiago Laborne scored a magical match-winning goal.

With the clock ticking, Argentine professional Laborde picked up the ball and from an acute angle executed his shot to perfection sealing victory for Desert Palm against a team who only last month won the Emirates Open Polo Tournament.

It was Abu Dhabi’s first loss in six matches during this season.

In the opening match of the ‘Royal Signature’ event, Ghantoot ADS Securities, representing the host club, defeated UAE Polo Team by eight goals to seven.

Held in the name of The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and under the patronage of Shaikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the two-week long event has attracted some of the leading polo players in the UAE and from around the world.

Watching the action on the opening day was Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, an avid polo player and patron.

“What a fantastic start to such a prestigious tournament as the His Highness The President of the UAE Polo Cup,” said Shaikha Maitha.

“I think all of us present really enjoyed the action on the field and the evening was a great success as well.

“Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club really know how to put on a good show and the grounds are in great condition. I would thoroughly recommend a day at Ghantoot to any polo enthusiast and I thought overall the sport was very well represented at the Royal venue,” Shaikha Maitha added.

“We had lovely weather, great action and friendly staff to ensure all guests were well looked after. I definitely look forward to returning to Ghantoot to watch the rest of the matches.”

The many fans and guests who flocked to Ghantoot, the UAE’s only Royal Polo Club, were certainly not disappointed with the action more than living up to expectations.

And the opening games could not have thrown up a better result for the host club as their team, Ghantoot ADS Securities controlled most of the match to defeat UAE Polo Team which was anchored by Argentine 10-goal player Pablo Pieres, a member of the Argentine polo dynasty.

However, despite Pieres scoring five goals in the match, including a brace in the final chukker, Ghantoot ADS were able to keep their rivals at bay and hold on for a narrow 8-7 victory in the qualification match.

The winners led for most of the match and were up 8-4 at the end of the fourth chukker, before Pieres led a UAE team recovery to close the gap at 8-7.

The second qualification matches will continue at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Saturday, January 13.

The Grand Final is scheduled for January 19.

The official partner of the tournament is Abu Dhabi Sports Council and is presented by ADS Securities.

Maserati, Premier Motors, is the official car of the event.

RESULTS

Wednesday, January 10

Ghantoot ADS Polo Team beat UAE Polo Team 8-7

Desert Palm Polo Team beat Abu Dhabi Polo Team 9-8

TEAM STANDINGS

(AFTER FIRST QUALIFICATION MATCHES)

Ghantoot ADS Securities 2 points

Desert Palm 2 points

UAE Polo 0 points

Abu Dhabi 0 points