Dubai: Defending champions Abu Dhabi Polo Team continued their unbeaten run as Maserati Polo Team bounced back from defeat to win their second match in the 17th Emirates Open Polo Championship being played at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.
However, Abu Dhabi suffered a mid-match scare when star player Santiago Cernadas was struck on the head by a flying ball in their game against UAE Polo Team.
The Argentinian, who was treated on the field, came back strongly to score three goals and ensure a comfortable 6-2 victory for the title holders.
Earlier in the afternoon, Maserati Polo Team rode on 20-year-old sensation Luca Diego Alberdi’s four goals to overcome a stubborn Wolves Mahra Polo Team, by a margin of 10-8.
Officially presented by Maserati — Premier Motors, the Emirates Open Polo Championship is regarded as one of the region’s premier polo events.
Abu Dhabi Polo Team patron, Faris Al Yabhouni, attributed his team’s winning streak to a good ‘team spirit’, which was evident from the start of the match against Rashid Bin Drai’s UAE Polo Team.
“I think the key to our success so has been the good team spirit that we have,” said Al Yabhouni. “We played like a family.
“We train together, spend time together and this has helped us to bond as a team.
“We now have a system in place and we have found the right rhythm which has allowed each player to support the other and be effective,” he added.
“We’re on the right track and our goal is to retain the trophy that we won last year. It will mean a lot to us.”
Commenting on the incident involving Santiago Cernadas, who has been the form player in the tournament which started on December 10, Al Yabhouni said: “These thing happen in sport and you have to accept that. At that time it was important to stay focused and not let the incident unsettle us.
“Santiago is a dynamic player and he showed so much of resolve the way he came back after treatment to score three beautiful goals.
“Our team spirit and positive played allowed us to retain the upper hand against the UAE Polo Team, who are certainly no pushovers, and deny them a goal in the final three chukkers.”
Meanwhile the mercurial Lucas Diego Alberdi continued his rich vein of form to score four goals and lead Maserati to a hard-earned 10-8 victory over the Wolves.
Alberdi, who plays off a +6 goal handicap in his native Argentina, has scored a tournament high 10 goals in three matches and has ensured that Maserati remain in contention for a spot in the semi-finals
A streaky player with a surfeit of good moves, fakes and supreme horse control, Alberdi was well supported by fellow Argentinian’s Felipe Llorente (3 goals) and Gregori Gelosi (1) and Emirati player Abdullah Bin Dasmal (2).
The winners were up three goals to nil at the end of the first quarter and led all the way.
The top player for the Wolves was Argentinian Diego Gallego, who accounted for six of his team’s eight goals on the day. Justo Cutinio and Tomas Iriarte were the other scorers.
“I think we played a good game and that was reflected in the result,” said +4 handicap player Llorente.
Results
Maserati Polo Team beat Wolves Mahra Team 10 goals to 8
Goal scorers
Maserati: Lucas Diego Alberi 4, Felipe Llorente 2, Abdullah Bin Dasmal 2, Gregorio Gelosi 1)
Wolves: Diego Gallego 6, Justo Cutinio 1, Tomas Iriarte 1.
Abu Dhabi Polo Team beat UAE Polo Team 6 goals to 2
Goal scorers
Abu Dhabi: Santiago Cernadas 3, Patricio Cieza 2, Faris Al Yahouni 1)
UAE: Ignacio Acuna 1, Pablo Avlaos 1.
Next qualification matches:
Sunday, December 17
