United Arab Emirates triumph over Hungary at Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012
Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, marked its first year as title sponsor of the Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 by welcoming the world’s top three professional polo players to go head-to-head for the first time outside of Argentina.
Held at the luxurious Desert Palm Resort in Dubai from the 6 – 13 January 2012, World No 1 Pablo MacDonough, World No 2 Adolfo Cambiaso and World No 3 Juan Martin Nero fought to lead their teams to victory.
The Nations Cup UAE is the first event for Royal Salute World Polo in 2012 and to help celebrate, the players were joined by distinguished guests including His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll and patrons of polo Prince Bahar Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei and Ali Albwardy.
Following the tournament and prize-giving ceremony, His Grace the Duke of Argyll hosted the Royal Salute private after-party, where VIP guests and polo players enjoyed an evening of entertainment in a glamorous private villa. The evening concluded with an auction of a signed portrait photograph of Adolfo Cambiaso, which raised US$15,000 with the proceeds going to the Riding for the Disabled charity in Dubai.
His Grace the Duke of Argyll commented: “Dubai is one of the world’s greatest shop windows for luxury brands and is the perfect place for Royal Salute to cement its ties with the elite sport of kings. The prestigious Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 represented the very pinnacle of international class polo and offered guests the chance to witness the greatest exponents of the game in some of the most luxurious surroundings. Royal Salute is delighted and very proud to have a played a supporting role in this.â€
Royal Salute’s continued expansion as a leading supporter of international polo will see support for events and polo clubs in 10 countries across four continents throughout the year.
The Final
With the Desert Palm resort full to capacity and throbbing with excitement, Ali Albwardi led his UAE team to complete a hat-trick of wins with victory over Hungary at the Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012, including special guests His Grace the 13th Duke of Argyll and football legend Diego Maradona, supporting his old friend Adolfo Cambiaso.
The match started well for the UAE team with 10 goal Adolfo Cambiaso gaining possession from the throw in, however it wasn’t until the fourth minute that Cambiaso found the goals gaining a 1:0 lead.
Hungary came back fast and furious with Martin Valent leading a charge up the right flank before cutting across for goal and firing in a direct hit from 40 yards. UAE accepted this challenge and ended the chukka leading 2:1.
With the start of the second chukka, Cambiaso juggled the ball theatrically through the posts with two goals to ease UAE to a 4:1 advantage.
By half-time the UAE were ahead 4:1
A critical third chukka for Hungary started well with Valent converting two goals to take the score to 3:4 and now increasing the pressure on the UAE side. UAE fought on with Prince Carl coming to the fore and converting a diagonal 40 yard strike for goal from the right wing to recover the two goal cushion for UAE, making it 5:3.
The start of the fourth chukka saw a mid air interception by Machado who passed the ball back to Valent and saw the score at 5:4 to UAE with 5 minutes to go.
A throw-in won by the Cambiaso saw the legendary polo player produce a solo score with just 1 minute left on the clock. UAE ahead 6:4
With the final act of an action packed battle, Hungary were awarded a penalty on the halfway line. Valent addressed the ball and took it forward with pace and alacrity, scoring a magisterial goal and providing a fitting end to a magnificent match with the final strike of the game to make the scoreline 6:5 to UAE.
With the hat-trick of Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 wins in the bag, the prize giving ceremony was the source of much joy and celebration amongst the sophisticated crowd of dignitaries from Dubai and across the world. It had been another memorable day of Royal Salute World Polo, with the Duke of Argyll presenting the resplendent Royal Salute Nations Cup to the exuberant Ali Albwardi as the Royal Salute flowed and the party started.