Bin Drai and Abu Dhabi have qualified for the Julius Baer Gold Cup Final after winning their respective semifinal matches today against Zedan and Mahra.
In a day of double action at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Abu Dhabi defeated Mahra by 9 goals to 7, and Bin Drai beat Zedan 6 – 5. Both matches were very competitive, showing five chukkas of pure adrenaline, as both teams fought hard qualify for the final of the Julius Baer Gold Cup, the most prestigious tournament of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2018.
Abu Dhabi and Bin Drai had to fight hard to defeat Mahra and Zedan. Patron Faris Al Yabhouni’s team got off to a great start (leading 5-1 lead in the second chukka), but Mahra closed the gap and battled till the very end. In the end, Abu Dhabi managed to snatch the victory.
Bin Drai also had a close game, after their opponents made a comeback in the third. After two even chukkas, Raúl Laplacette scored a penalty from the spot to give Bin Drai the win.
Abu Dhabi: Faris Al Yabhouni 0, Alfredo Cappella 9 (4 goals), Santiago Cernadas 6 (3), Santiago Gómez Romero 3 (2). Total: 18.
Mahra: Habtoor Al Habtoor 1, BenjamÃn Urquiza 5, Isidro Strada 6 (4 goals), Jero del Carril 6 (3). Total: 18.
Score Abu Dhabi: 1-1, 5-1, 5-3, 6-5, 9-7.
Bin Drai: Rashid Bin Drai 1 (1 goal), Andrés Laplacette 4, MatÃas Torres Zavaleta 7 (1), Rauli Laplacette 6 (4). Total: 18.
Zedan: Amr Zedan 0, Gato Gándara 5 (2 goals), Tomás Panelo 3, Pablo Mac Donough 10 (3). Total: 18.
Score Bin Drai: 1-2, 1-2, 3-3, 5-5, 6-5.
The finals of the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2018 are set for Friday at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club:
Bentley Cup: Desert Palm vs Habtoor
Julius Baer Gold Cup: Abu Dhabi vs Bin DraI