The first tournament of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series concluded with spectacular wins for Zedan Polo and Habtoor Polo teams. Day by day: Bangash Polo team faced UAE Polo at the first game followed by Habtoor Polo against IFZA - Mahra Polo team. The second day of the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 delivered a thrilling match between Zedan Polo team and Dubai Wolves. The action continued on Field 3 of Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club on January 25 as two teams went head to head on the third day: Habtoor Polo Defeats UAE Polo. Zedan Polo and Bangash Polo Teams Win on the Fourth Day. The fifth day was a victorious day for Bangash Polo team as it smashed the competition and closed the game at 11 goals to 7.5.
The last of the qualifying matches concluded with a win for UAE Polo and Habtoor Polo teams. The IFZA Silver Cup 2021 The IFZA Silver Cup 2021 semifinals concluded with a win for Habtoor Polo and UAE Polo teams on the grounds of Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
Teams Bangash Polo: Jacinto Crotto 7, Benjamin Panelo 6, Haider Bangash 0, Federico Von Potobsky 5.
Habtoor Polo: Facundo Sola 9, Juan Jauretche 6, Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, Félix EsaÃn 3.
UAE Polo: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Lucas Monteverde (n) 3, Tomas Panelo 7, Guillermo Willington 7.
IFZA Mahra: Isidro Strada 7, Rashid Al Habtoor 0, Segundo Amadori 4, Jacinto Amadori 5.
Dubai Wolves by CAFU: Tommy Beresford 6, Alejandro Muzzio 8, Kian Hall 3, Habtoor Al Habtoor 1.
Zedan Polo: Jerónimo Del Carril 7, Manuel Plaza 6, Amr Zedan 0, Simón Prado 5.
Fixture & Results
22/1 Bangash 5 vs UAE Polo 7.5
22/1 Habtoor Polo 8 vs IFZA Mahra 5.5
23/1 Zedan Polo 7 vs Dubai Wolves by CAFU 10
25/1 Habtoor Polo 7 vs UAE Polo 3.5
26/1 Zedan Polo 10 vs IFZA Mahra 6.5
26/1 Bangash 10 vs Dubai Wolves by CAFU 8
29/1 Bangash 11 vs IFZA Mahra 7.5
30/1 Zedan Polo 5.5 vs UAE Polo 12
30/1 Habtoor Polo 11 vs Dubai Wolves by CAFU 6
2/2 Semifinals Habtoor Polo 9 vs Dubai Wolves by CAFU 8
Bangash Polo 6 vs UAE Polo 12
5/2 Final - Habtoor Polo 11 vs UAE Polo 8.5
Subsidiary Final - Zedan 9 vs. IFZA-Mahra Polo 6
Day #8 - Finals - Habtoor Polo Sweeps the IFZA Silver Cup 2021
The Hildon Cup Subsidiary match between Zedan Polo and IFZA-Mahra Polo opened with a goal from Segundo Amadorri but, Zedan quickly grabbed the lead as Amr Zedan, team patron, and Jeronimo del Carril scored 3 goals for the team. The team kept the momentum going during the second chukker and created a four-goal advantage. The penultimate chukker saw Tariq Al Habtoor score one for IFZA-Mahra followed by another goal from
Isidro Strada. However, Zedan kept the lead through to the end of the fifth chukker, closing the game at 9 goals to 6. Match Progression: 3 - 1 | 7 - 3 | 8 -4 | 9 - 6 | 9 - 6 Top scorer: Jeronimo del Carril, 5 goals
Habtoor Polo team faced the formidable UAE Polo team at the final match with Guillermo Willington who grabbed the lead for UAE Polo during the first chukker. Facundo Sola delivered two consecutive penalty goals that shifted the advantage to Habtoor Polo. Spectators witnessed an excellent last-second goal from Felix Esain during the third chukker after he stole the ball from Tomas Panel and drove in a neck shot from 60 yards. UAE Polo inched ahead with their half-point
as Lucas Monteverde Jr. and Willington scored mid-chukker. But the 2 goals from Facu plus Felix' backshot save from a penalty shot that he missed, kept Habtoor Polo's spirits up that continued through the final chukker. The game ended at 11 goals to 8.5 in favour of Habtoor Polo. Match Progression: 1 - 2.5 | 4 - 3.5 | 6 - 4.5 | 9 - 6.5 | 11 - 8.5 Top scorer: Facundo Sola, 7 goals Martin Pedersen, Chairman of International Free Zone Authority awarded the teams of the day with Facundo Sola as the Most Valuable Player and Nobu, ridden by Tomas Panelo as the Best Playing Pony.
The last two chukkers determined the win for UAE Polo as Tomas Panelo and Lucas Monteverde Jr. scored a total of six goals closing the game with a 6.5 goal advantage.
Match Progression: 3.5 - 2 | 4.5 - 3| 6.5 - 5 | 9.5 - 6 | 12 - 6.5
Top Scorer: Benjamin Panelo, 5 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
Day #7 - Habtoor Polo and UAE Polo to Compete for the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 Trophy
Dubai Wolves by CAFU had a strong start with Alejandro Muzzio scoring the first goal against Habtoor Polo and ended the first two chukkers with a one-goal lead. The Wolves increased their lead to three with goals from Muzzio and Kian Hall during the third chukker. Habtoor Polo's 9-goaler, Facundo Sola, narrowed this gap by scoring three goals combined with the team's strong defense.
With two minutes left on the clock, Facu managed to even the scores and finally, he sealed Habtoor Polo's spot at the final with a goal and ended the game with 9 goals to 8.
Match Progression: 1 - 2 | 3 - 4 | 4 - 7 | 7 - 8 | 9 - 8
Top Scorer: Facundo Sola, 8 goals
The second match of the afternoon opened with a goal from Benjamin Panelo for Bangash Polo team followed by a series of penalties awarded that led to UAE Polo grab the initial lead in the game. UAE Polo kept its 1.5 half goal lead until the end of the third chukker with the majority of the goals coming from Guillermo Willington but with Benja delivering goals that kept the scores close.
The last two chukkers determined the win for UAE Polo as Tomas Panelo and Lucas Monteverde Jr. scored a total of six goals closing the game with a 6.5 goal advantage.
Match Progression: 3.5 - 2 | 4.5 - 3| 6.5 - 5 | 9.5 - 6 | 12 - 6.5
Top Scorer: Benjamin Panelo, 5 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
Day #6 - Line Up is Set for the Semifinals of the IFZA Silver Cup 2021
The afternoon opened with a fast goal from Lucas Monteverde Jr. followed by another from Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - patron of the UAE Polo team. The team showed complete dominance throughout the game with Zedan Polo team scoring its first goal on the third chukker, notably from Jeronimo del Carril followed by another from Simon Prado.
The last two chukkers saw Tomas Panelo and Lukin deliver goals for the team that set a 7.5 goal lead at the final chukker. Match Progression: 2.5 - 0 | 5.5 - 0 | 7.5 - 3 | 9.5 - 5 | 12.5 - 5 Top Scorer: Tomas Panelo, 7 goals
Home teams Habtoor Polo and Dubai Wolves by CAFU faced each other at the next match. The Wolves grabbed the lead early during the first chukker with 3 consecutive goals from Alejandro Muzzio. Quick to catch up was Facundo Sola who scored two goals plus a calculated pass to Mohammed Al Habtoor - patron of the team - who scored and leveled the game by the end of the second chukker.
The last goals of the match from Al Habtoor and Felix Esain sealed the win for Habtoor Polo at 11 goals to 6. Match Progression: 0 - 3 | 3 - 3 | 5 - 4 | 9 - 6 | 11 - 6 Top Scorer: Facundo Sola, 7 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
Day #5 - Back to Back Wins for Bangash Polo Team at the IFZA Silver Cup 2021
Haider Bangash, the team's patron, delivered the opening goal followed by another from Benjamin Panelo. IFZA-Mahra Polo team level the game with a goal from Ricardo Garros*, penalty shot from Isidro Strada and an excellent pass that allowed Segundo Amadori to score. Benja's created a massive 7.5 goal advantage for Bangash Polo during the next two chukkers. IFZA-Mahra Polo rushed to close in on
Bangash Polo team at the last chukker. But the gap in scores was enough to secure Bangash Polo team its second win in the tournament. Match Progression: 2 - 0.5 | 4 - 3.5 | 7 - 3.5 | 11 - 3.5 | 7 - 3.5 Top scorer: Benjamin Panelo, 9 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Day #4 - Habtoor Polo Defeats UAE Polo at the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 Qualifiers
The first match saw IFZA-Mahra Polo grabbed the lead with Segundo's Amadori's back to back goals during the first chukker. Zedan Polo levelled the game with a foul shot from Jeronimo del Carril and one goal Simon Prado. On the same pace, both teams managed to keep the gap in scores with a goal from Amr Zedan by half time. Zedan's team took off scoring in consecutive goals during the last two chukkers from Manuel Plaza and Jeronimo. The game ended with a final score of 10 goals to 6.5 in favour of Zedan Polo team.
Match Progression: 0 - 2.5 | 2 - 2.5 | 4 - 4.5 | 8 - 5.5 | 10 - 6.5 Top scorer: Jeronimo del Carill, 4 goals
The next match saw a quick start and lead for the Bangash Polo Team as Federico Potobsky and Benjamin Panelo scored 3 goals in the first chukker. Dubai Wolves by Cafu caught up with Bangash with a notable off-side, neck shot from Tommy Beresford. The remaining chukkers had both teams neck and neck, with each score matched by the other team. Bangash Polo team inched its way to victory with a shot from Benja and sealed by Federico at the last seconds of the game.
Match Progression: 3 - 1 | 5 - 4 | 6 - 6 | 7 - 7 | 10 - 8 Top scorer: Tommy Beresford, 6 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Day #3 - Habtoor Polo Defeats UAE Polo at the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 Qualifiers
Both teams struggled to score a goal during the first chukker and it was Facundo Sola who delivered the opening goal for Habtoor Polo team. Mohammed Al Habtoor, the team's patron, gave the team a further advantage as he scored another goal during the second chukker. Goal shy until past halftime, UAE Polo's demonstrated offence throughout the game had the team score its first goal at the penultimate chukker courtesy of Tomas Panelo.
UAE Polo had its work cut out for them as Habtoor Polo carried with them a 3.5 goal advantage. Guillermo Willington added two goals for the team but the gap in scores plus the 30-yard penalty shot from Facu were enough to seal the win at 7 goals to 3.5. Match progression: 0 - 0.5 | 3 - 0.5 | 4 - 0.5 | 5 - 1.5 | 7 - 3.5 Top scorer: Facundo Sola, 2 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
Day #2 - Dubai Wolves by Cafu Chalks Up a Win at the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 Qualifiers
Zedan Polo team had a strong start as Jeronimo Del Carril scored the first goal and had 4 goal advantage by the end of the second chukker. The Dubai Wolves by Cafu made an impressive comeback at the third chukker with two goals from Alejandro Muzzio. Habtoor Al Habtoor, patron of the team, showed grit as he ended the third chukker with a goal, closing in on Zedan Polo. The excitement kicked up a notch with an excellent pass from Habtoor that allowed Muzzio to score the goal that placed the teams tied at 6 goals. The Dubai Wolves took off at the final chukker with back to back goals and it was the goal from Habtoor that sealed the win for the team at 10 goals to 7. Match progression: 1 - 2 | 1 - 5 | 4 - 5 | 6 - 6 | 10 - 7
Top scorer of the match: Geronimo del Carril, 5 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
Day #1 - Debut Wins for UAE Polo and Habtoor Polo Teams on the First Day of the IFZA Silver Cup 2021
The first trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series kicked off with flying start. Bangash Polo team faced UAE Polo at the first game followed by Habtoor Polo against IFZA - Mahra Polo team. The first match of the IFZA Silver Cup opened with a goal from Tomas Panelo and, UAE Polo Team ended the first chukker with a 3.5 goal lead. Bangash Polo team made a come back during the next chukker. However, UAE Polo had taken control of the game from mid until the penultimate chukker and fully sealed the win during the last chukker with goals from Tomas and Lucas Monteverde Jr.
Match Progression: 3.5 - 0 | 3.5 - 3 | 4.5 - 3 | 5.5 - 3 | 7.5 - 5
Top scorers of the match: Tomas Panelo, Lucas Monteverde Jr., Benjamin Panelo, 3 goals
The anticipated match between Habtoor Polo and IFZA - Mahra Polo saw Facundo Sola deliver a flurry of goals that gave Habtoor Polo a one and half goal advantage. The following chukker, Isidro Strada scored two goals for IFZA - Mahra that narrowed the gap in scores by half a goal. The teams were neck and neck in the succeeding chukkers and finally, Habtoor Polo claimed victory on the fifth chukker with two goals closing the game at 8 goals to 5.5.
Match Progression: 3 - 1.5 | 4 - 3.5 | 5 - 4.5 | 6 - 5.5 | 8 - 5.5 Top scorer of the match: Facundo Sola, 6 goals
Pictures by KHALIL AHLI
Video of the day by PLTV
ABOUT THE DUBAI POLO GOLD CUP SERIES
Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series was founded in 2009 by Mohammed Al Habtoor, patron of the Habtoor Polo team. Growing rapidly every year, the Gold Cup (Dubai Open) was recognised by the World Polo Tour (WPT); in January 2014, the WPT committee credited the Gold Cup tournament as the highest competition in terms of points within the WPT Challenge Cup category, elevating it to 50 points for the winner. 2015 marked the first time ever that the WPT upgraded the Gold Cup Tournament from ‘Challenge Cup’ to the highly coveted ‘WPT Cup’, resulting in winners receiving 60 points. In 2017, the tournament was moved up to WPT Championship Cup – the highest competition point-wise, awarding its winners with 125 points. The Silver Cup is ranked under the WPT Cup category, with 60 points for winners and the Dubai Challenge Cup falls under the WPT Challenge Cup Category, awarding its winners with 10 points.
Dubai Gold Cup Series is proud to be the only tournament series with this exclusive accreditation in the GCC and MENA Region, ranking it among the best polo tournaments worldwide
For more information: http://dubaipologoldcup.com/
Catch the action live or watch it online on Pololine TV’s livestream.