Finalists confirmed for Julius Baer Gold Cup
Today, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club hosted the penultimate games in The Dubai Gold Cup Series. In an exceptionally close Semi Final game, Zedan (Amr Zedan (0), Martin Gandara (4), Facundo Fernandez-Llorente (4) and Pablo MacDonough (10)) faced the Julius Baer by Habtoor team (Mohammed Al Habtoor (0), Santiago Cernadas (6), Martin Iturraspe (6) and Guillermo Cuitino (6)). It was level pegging in chukkas one and two with Zedan just edging ahead, 5-4 at half-time. The scores remained the same in the penultimate chukka with both teams struggling to slot the ball through the posts, but it was Zedan who finally managed to score the sixth goal at the start of the final chukka. With less than one minute to go on the clock, the Habtoor side equalised and it looked as if the game would have to proceed to extra time. However, Zedan’s MacDonough proved his 10 goal worth by securing the throw-in and spiriting the ball to gal to give Zedan their ticket to the Final.
Founded by Mohammed Al Habtoor in 2009, the prize value of this year’s tournament is half a million dirhams. Not only will the winners be awarded The Gold Cup, but each team member will also receive a limited edition Breitling for Bentley watch.
In today’s morning match, Abu Dhabi defeated Ghantoot by 8 goals to 7 to qualify for The Bentley Cup, the Subsidiary Final of the tournament. They will play Mahra in the opening match of The Dubai Gold Cup Finals Day on Friday 13 March.
Photograph: Zedan’s Pablo MacDonough scored the winning goal to ensure his place in The Dubai Gold Cup Final. By Gonzalo Etcheverry.
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