Bin Drai and Abu Dhabi achieve two great victories in the opening day of the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2017
Bin Drai and Abu Dhabi Polo Team started the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2017 in the best way by achieving two great victories against Desert Palm and UAE Polo in the double action day held at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Dubai’s first luxury polo and equestrian community located in Dubailand.
Bin Drai defeated Desert Palm by 10 goals to 3 while Abu Dhabi won against UAE Polo by 12-10.
In the first match of the day, Bin Drai, team made up today by Tarik Al Habtoor, Gregorio Gelosi, Francisco Elizalde and Raúl Laplacette needed the first two chukkers to warm up but from the third period onwards, and with the engines at full speed, they had the control of the actions and the score for a deserved 10 goals to 3 victory.
Francisco Elizalde was the top scorer of the match with 5 goals.
Match progression:
Bin Drai: 1-0/ 2-3/ 5-3/ 7-3/ 10-3
The second match of the day showed a much even and tough game, with two teams playing in a great level and the final score decided in the last minutes.
UAE Polo, winners of the McLaren Cup, started in a great shape and led the score in the first two chukkers. But a comeback by Abu Dhabi, with a 5-0 in the third chukker, gave them the lead from half time till the end of the game.
UAE Polo kept behind in the score by 1 goal and put a lot of pressure on Abu Dhabi. But patron Faris Al Yabhouni´s team, with Alfredo Capella playing at a great level, handled the situation and secured the victory in the last minutes with two consecutives goals for a 12-10 triumph.
Capella was the mvp and top scorer of the match with 10 goals (8 penalties).
Match progression:
Abu Dhabi: 1-3/ 3-5/ 8-5/ 9-8/ 12-10
The Julius Baer Gold Cup continues tomorrow with another double action day at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.
Starting at 2pm, Mahra will play against Wolves Polo followed by Julius Baer Habtoor Team against Bangash Polo.