UAE Polo revels in victory as the Gold Cup 2022 Dubai Open champions

Sport360 staff 23:29 06/03/2022
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  • The finale of the tournament featured this season’s top polo teams in a scintillating battle for the most-coveted trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series.

    The event was packed full of sportsmanship, fun, glamour, entertainment and prizes for its spectators.

    The afternoon took off to a blistering start as Zedan Polo faced AM Polo at the Auto Millennium Cup (Subsidiary Final). Tomas Panelo shot the first goal and the following minutes were a quick exchange of goals.

    Zedan Polo took the lead by the end of the second chukker with a last-second goal from Tomas Panelo. The team had taken full possession of the third chukker as it carved a two-goal advantage and both teams had consistently displayed prowess through the end of the fourth.

    The excitement kicked up a notch as Alejandro Muzzio tied the game at nine goals early in the last chukker. It was a scramble for the win but, Panelo skillfully dodged his way through the notable display of defense by AM Polo that sealed the win for the Zedan Polo team.

    Match Progression: 2 – 2 | 5 – 4 | 8 – 6 | 9 – 7 | 11 – 9

    Top scorer: Tomas Panelo, 9 goals

    The highly anticipated final game of the Dubai Open 2022 featured the top contenders of the Silver Cup 2022 tournament – Habtoor Polo and UAE Polo teams.

    Tommy Beresford nicked the first goal of the match for UAE Polo. Mohammed Al Habtoor, the patron of the Habtoor Polo team, left the first chukker tied at two goals. The teams stayed tied through the end of the second but UAE Polo turned things around from the third chukker and Habtoor Polo clawed its way to narrow the gap in scores with a last-second penalty shot from Bautista Bayugar.

    With seven minutes left on the clock, Habtoor Polo had its work cut out for them as Beresford created a two-goal cushion mid of the chukker. Bayugar equalized the game by the last 30 seconds resulting in overtime.

    Fans of both camps witnessed an absolute nail bitter of a finish and it was around mid of overtime when Beresford snatched the win for UAE Polo.

    Match Progression: 2 – 2 | 3 – 3 | 5 -4 | 7 – 6 | 8 – 8 | 9 – 8

    Top scorer: Tommy Beresford, 5 goals

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum awarded the teams of the Gold Cup 2022 final together with Sakher Al Shawwa, Group CEO of Auto Millennium. Tommy Beresford is the Most Valuable Player and Brilliante, a polo pony ridden by Bautista Bayugar as the Best Playing Pony.

    The teams received wonderful gifts from Misula and Plutas Luxury Brands.

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