Abu Dhabi: Maserati Polo Team remained on course to win the 17th Emirates Open Polo Championship after edging out Desert Palm Polo team in a cliffhanger match at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club on Tuesday evening.

Argentina’s Feilpe Llorente confidently converted a penalty in the first minute of the final chukker to ensure that Maserati would hold on for a 9-8 victory over their rivals and book a place in Friday’s title match against the unbeaten Abu Dhabi Polo Team.

Llorente, who admitted that he was surprised to have been called up to take the all-important penalty, showed nerves of steel to convert the shot as the fans cheered in joy.

Officially presented by Maserati – Premier Motors, the five-team tournament has attracted some of the best professional and Emirati polo players.

It is held under the patronage of Shaikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.

In another qualification match, a resurgent UAE Polo Team took the Wolves Polo Team by surprise when they produced a big effort to record a comfortable 8-5 victory.

It was the UAE’s first win in four matches at the tournament and the Wolves second defeat.

While Maserati moved into second place on the qualification table with 6 points behind finalists Abu Dhabi (8 points) to claim their place in the final,  Wolves blew their chances with Tuesday’s defeat. They finished in third place with four points with two wins while UAE picked up their first set of points.

Llorente, who top scored for Maserati with three goals said that he was delighted to have helped his team reach the finals at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club’s premier event.

“It was a big game for us, but everything worked out well in the end,” said the Argentinian, who is a +4 handicap player. “We never gave up even though we trailed Desert Palm for most of the match and that made all the difference.

“We kept motivating each other to just go out and do our best and I think that attitude really helped.

“The plan was to go out and seize the advantage but that did not happen as he were down three goals in the first chukker. However, we kept our focus and played to our strengths.”

Commenting on the penalty, Llorente said: “I was really surprise that the team asked me to take the penalty. But I was not nervous.

“I never feel nervous and allow myself to be under pressure. I knew what had to be done and I did it. It feels great to have put my team in the final.

“We know that Abu Dhabi are the in-form team and will be a tough opponent in the final. But we have forged a good team who believe in each other and we will go into Friday’s match with positive attitude.” He added.

“It will be great to win this trophy in one of the biggest and most prestigious polo tournaments in the UAE.”

Tuesday results

Maserati Polo Team beat Desert Palm Polo Team 9 goals to 8
Maserati: Filipe Llorente 3; Abdullah Bin Dasmal 2; Gregorio Gelos 2; Lucas Diego Alberdi 1.
Desert Palm: Matias Machado 6; Tariq Al Bawardi 1; Juan Jos Stroni 1.

UAE Polo Team beat Wolves Mahra Polo Team 8 goals to 5
UAE Polo Team: Ignacio Acuna 4; Matias Benoit 2; Pablo Avalos 2
Wolves: Justo Cuitino 2; Diego Gallego 2; Tariq Al Bawardi 1.

Final standings
(After qualification matches)

Abu Dhabi Polo Team: 8 points
Maserati Polo Team: 6 points
Wolves Mahra Polo Team: 4 points
Desert Palm Polo Team: 4 points
UAE Polo Team: 2 points