Abu Dhabi: A mouth-watering clash between high-performers Abu Dhabi Polo Team and Desert Palm Polo Team for the prestigious HH The President of the UAE Cup is on the cards at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club on Friday.
While Abu Dhabi will be chasing a second major title after winning the Emirates Open Polo Championship in December last year, Desert Palm earned the chance to challenge Faris Al Yabhouni’s in-form foursome with a series of strong performances.
Both Abu Dhabi and Desert Palm successfully came through a tense penalty shoot-out on Wednesday after three teams finished the qualification matches tied on four points each.
While Abu Dhabi and Desert Palm converted all four penalties, taken from the 40-yard and 60-yard mark, Ghantoot suffered heartbreak when Argentinian Guillermo Terrera missed the target with his shot.
Desert Palm and Abu Dhabi met in the first qualification match on January 19 where the former recorded a tight 9-8 victory.
Right from the start of the tournament on January 11 Rashid Al Bawadi’s team have seemed organised and hungry to succeed.
“We have a nice unit, a young team, but I think we have all played to our strengths which has helped us to reach the final,” said Al Bawardi.
“It’s a great honour to be playing in the final of such a prestigious event and particularly against a strong team like Abu Dhabi.
“We beat them in the opening match but it was very close, so we are not going to get carried away by that result. We respect them a lot as they are a very professional team and understand that we will have to play very good polo on Friday if we hope to beat them again and win the title,” Al Bawardi added.
Abu Dhabi will probably start as the favourites with form and results counting in their favour. The have won two matches since losing to Desert Palm in decisive fashion including their last game against Ghantoot ADS who they overwhelmed by nine goals to seven.
Team patron Faris Al Yabhouni believes that they have the confidence to gain revenge against Desert Palm but recognises that playing in a final is difficult and unpredictable.
“We are a cohesive team and we have prepared well for this match,” Al Yabhouni said.
“We are very happy to be in the finals. We wanted to be here so we played the best we could. We know that Desert Palm are a good team but we are confident going in Friday’s match and we want to win.”
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.
AT A Glance
• What: HH The President of the UAE Cup final
• When: 5pm Friday, January 19
• Teams: Abu Dhabi Polo Club vs Desert Palm Polo Club
• Venue: Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club
• Entrance: Free
FINALISTS
Abu Dhabi Polo Team
Faris Al Yabhouni
Alfredo Capela Barabucci
Santiago Cernadas
Santiago Gomez Romero
Desert Palm Polo Team
Rashid Al Bawardi
Bartolome Castagnola
Camilo Castagnola
Santiago Laborde
