Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The IFZA Silver Cup 2021, the first tournament of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, ended on a high note for Habtoor, who emerged champions following a thrilling win over team UAE Polo in the final at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club on Friday.

Guillermo Willington grabbed the lead for UAE Polo in the first chukker, but Facundo Sola delivered two consecutive penalty goals that shifted the advantage to Habtoor.

The spectators witnessed an excellent last-second goal from Felix Esain during the third chukker after he stole the ball from Tomas Panel and drove in a neck shot from 60 yards.

Hildon-Cup-Subsidiary-Winner-Zedan-Polo-on-the-podium.

UAE Polo inched ahead with their half-point as Lucas Monteverde Jr. and Willington scored mid-chukker. But two goals from Sola plus Felix’ backshot save from a penalty shot that he missed, kept Habtoor’s spirits up that continued through the final chukker. The game ended at 11 goals to 8.5 in favour of Habtoor Polo.   

ZEDAN clinch HILDON CUP: Meanwhile, the Hildon Cup Subsidiary match between Zedan Polo and IFZA-Mahra Polo opened with a goal from Segundo Amadorri, but Zedan quickly grabbed the lead as Amr Zedan, team patron, and Jeronimo del Carril pumped in three goals.

The team kept the momentum going during the second chukker and created a four-goal advantage.

The penultimate chukker saw Tariq Al Habtoor score one for IFZA-Mahra followed by another goal from

Isidro Strada. However, Zedan kept the lead through to the end of the fifth chukker, closing the game at 9 goals to 6.

Martin Pedersen, Chairman of International Free Zone Authority awarded the teams of the day with Sola adjudged the Most Valuable Player and Nobu, ridden by Tomas Panelo as the Best Playing Pony.

The next tournament of Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is Polo Masters Cup (6-8 goal handicap). The event will begin on Sunday with the finals scheduled to take place on Feb.12.

The 11 edition of the prestigious Silver Cup is part of the Dubai Polo Golf Cup Series being held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup kick-started its high-goal season with the Silver Cup, which began on Jan.22. Six teams, including UAE Polo, Bangash, Dubai Wolves, Habtoor Polo Team, IFZA Polo Team and Zedan participated in the tournament.

International Free Zone Authority were the title sponsor of the Silver Cup 2021 while Al Shirawi Contracting Company LLC were the main sponsors.

The event was played under the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) banner, with strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires. The tournament falls under World Polo Tour’s WPT Cup Category.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series in the UAE is one of only five tournaments worldwide played in the WPT Championship Cup category.

It is on a par with world-class events held in Argentina, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series started in 2009 with tournaments carrying a handicap of 10-12 goals and has grown to host teams playing in 18-goal handicap matches.