Habtoor claimed the Dubai Gold Cup, the most important tournament of Asia and the Middle East, following the championship match that took place on Saturday February 24 on Al Habtoor Polo Resort main field, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The winners defeated Dubai Wolves by CAFU by a tight 11-1o in extra time, with a golden goal produced by José Araya. Therefore, Habtoor, who won the Dubai Gold for the first time in twelve years, wrapped a remarkable high goal season within the 2024 Dubai Gold Cup Series; Mohammed Al Habtoor’s foursome also claimed the Dubai Silver Cup.

Prior to the main final, Ghantoot beat Mahra and won the Bentley Cup.

Habtoor got off to a better start, by producing a couple of unanswered goals. But Wolves managed to remain on their contender’s tail until Juan Jauretche produced one of the most remarkable goals of the season secure Habtoor a 5-all by half time.

A determined Habtoor lineup bounced back in the second half, reaching a three-goal advantage. But Wolves, led by their most significant player, Benjamin Panelo, produced enough goals to get closer in the scoreboard. Mohammed Al Habtoor’s lineup had a two-goal advantage by the start of the last chukka; Wolves then seized the reins and it was Benjamin Panelo who scored with only five minutes left in regulation time, to send the match into extra chukka. That’s when José Araya picked the ball and ran to the goalposts to have the deal said and done for Habtoor.

ALL THE GAMES OF THE DUBAI GOLD CUP WERE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV.

DUBAI GOLD CUP – FINALS – SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24:

FINAL DUBAI GOLD CUP: HABTOOR POLO 11-10 DUBAI WOLVES BY CAFU

HABTOOR POLO: Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, José Araya 5 (3 goals), Facundo Fernández Llorente 8 (2), Juan Jaureche 7 (6, 3 penalties). Total: 20.

DUBAI WOLVES BY CAFU: Benjamín Panelo 7 (7 goals, 4 penalties), Habtoor Al Habtoor 1, Félix Esaín 6, Santiago Laborde 6 (3). Total: 20.

Score Habtoor:  2-1, 4-3, 5-5, 9-7, 10-10, 11-10.

Umpires: Peter Wright & Jason Dixon.

MVP: José Araya.

BPP: Machitos Angie. Player: Benjamín Panelo.

BPP awarded by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Pire Pocahontas. Player: José Araya.

Tournament Top Scorer: Benjamín Panelo, 32 goals.

FINAL BENTLEY CUP: GHANTOOT 11-8 MAHRA POLO BY AIX INVESTMENTS

GHANTOOT: Nasser Al Shamsi 1 (1 goal), César Crespo 6 (1), Pablo Llorente 6 (5), Marcos Araya 7 (4). Total: 20.

MAHRA POLO BY AIX INVESTMENTS: Tariq Al Habtoor 1, Juan Cruz Guevara 4, Teo Lacau 7 (7 goals), Jacinto Crotto 7 (1). Total: 19.

Score Ghantoot:  3-1, 5-2, 7-6, 9-8, 11-8.