By Alejandra Ocampo
AM/UAE claimed an 8-5 over Habtoor to qualify for the semifinals of the Standard Chartered Gold Cup, the most important competition of the Dubai Gold Cup Series, hosted by Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
Mohammed Al Habtoor’s team got off to a favourable start, taking control of the first two chukkas. But AM/UAE made an impressive comeback in the third, taking a 5-3 lead thanks to goals from Nacho Acuña and Santiago Cernadas.
Facundo Sola worked hard in the last chukka. Following another goal by Cernadas to widen their advantage to 6-3, Sola found the flags twice for Habtoor, securing a 6-5 advantage for Sheikha Alya’s team. With just a minute left in the match, AM/UAE were awarded a couple of penalties, which were converted successfully by Cernadas. The goals sealed AM/UAE’s 8-5 victory and allowed the team to advance to the tournament semifinal. They face Ghantoot on Tuesday, March 3.
The last semifinalist will be determined on Saturday February 29, after the match between Zedan and Abu Dhabi, due at 4pm.
The finals of the Gold Cup (Dubai Open) are set for Friday, March 6.
ALL GOLD CUP MATCHES WILL BE STREAMED LIVE VIAÂ POLOLINE TV.
AM UAE 8 vs. HABTOOR 5
AM/UAE: Sheikha Alya 0, Nacho Acuña 4 (1 goal), Santiago Cernadas 7 (7, 4 penalties), Jacinto Crotto 7.
HABTOOR: Mohammed Al Habtoor 1, Felix Esain 2, Facundo Sola 9 (4).
SCORE AM/UAE: 0-1, 1-2, 5-3, 6-5, 8-5.
IMAGES:
AM/UAE vs. Habtoor, by Ana Clara Cozzi
REWATCH:
The Gold Cup, the most important tournament of Asia and the Middle East, was established in 2009. Over the last decade, the competition has become one of the most prestigious of the international polo calendar. The Gold Cup also awards points for the WPT Championship Cup category of the  World Polo Tour.
STANDARD CHARTERED GOLD CUP: TEAMS AND FIXTURES