Players of IFZA Habtoor Polo and Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo in action during the opening match of the Gold Cup 2023 Dubai Open.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Riding high on Bautista Bayugar’s excellent form, IFZA Habtoor Polo defeated Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo in the opener of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 Dubai Open.

IFZA Habtoor Polo got off to a strong start in the match, with Juan Jauretche scoring the opening goal.

Shortly thereafter, the team Patron, Mohammed Al Habtoor and Matthew Perry helped secure a 3-goal lead for IFZA Habtoor Polo by the end of the first.

The second chukker began with a 60-yard penalty goal in favor of Bangash Dodson & Horerell Polo, played by Tomas F. Llorente Jr, however with only a few seconds left, Perry scored a goal, with a brilliant pass by Bayugar, ending it with 4 -1.

The third chukker proved to be a defensive battle, with IFZA Habtoor managing only one goal, scored by Bayugar.

Meanwhile, Llorennte tallied two goals, and Ignacio Negri added another for Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo, which brought the score to a close 5-4.

The teams continued the streak of goal shots during the penultimate chukker, as Bayugar and Juan Jauretche extended the goals straight through the line post leading its team with 7 – 5 on the scoreboard. It was during the final chukker we saw the score tie but the game ended with a final score of 10 goals to 7 in favor of IFZA Habtoor Polo.

In the second match of the day, AM Polo team swiftly took the lead from Mahra by AIX Investment Group. Jacinto Amadori and Tomas Alberdi from the opposing team shifted the scoreboard making it a tie by the 2nd chukker. By the third chukker, both teams played fiercely, keeping the score tied at 9 goals each. Isitro Strada of the AM Polo team scored a 60-yard penalty shot, but Jacinto Amadori of the Mahra by AIX Investment Group Polo team equalized once more with 9 goals in the penultimate chukker.

The score remained tied until the final minutes, when Isidro Strada scored a 30-yard penalty goal, securing the first win of the tournament for the AM Polo team.