The IFZA Gold Cup, the most significant polo tournament in Asia and the Middle East, commenced on Wednesday February 15, with double action at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. The series, that is celebrating its 14th. anniversary, has been established by Mohamemd Al Habtoor, and currently it is one of the highlights of the international polo calendar. The 2023 edition sees eight teams up to 20 goals, partake, split in two leagues.
In the opening day of the prestigious competition, IFZA Habtoor and the recent runner up of the Silver Cup, AM Polo, were victorious over Bangash and Mahra, respectively. Moreover, the match between AM Polo and Mahra was a thrilling contest, despite Mahra’s Jacinto Amadori had to leave the field in the fifth chukka, after a heavy fall.
The IFZA Gold Cup will resume on Thursday with two games.
The finals of the IFZA Gold Cup will be played on Saturday March 4.
THE IFZA GOLD CUP IS STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
IFZA Gold Cup, Wednesday February 15
IFZA HABTOOR POLO 10-7 BANGASH
Habtoor: Mohammed Al Habtoor 0 (1 goal), Matt Perry 5 (2), Bautista Bayugar 8 (4), Juan Jauretche 7 (2).
Bangash: Haider Bangash 0 (1 goal), Federico Von Potobsky 5 (1), Tomás Fernández Llorente 8 (4), Ignacio Negri 7 (1).
Score IFZA Habtoor: 3-0, 4-1, 5-4, 7-5, 10-7.
Umpires: Jason Dixon & Peter Wright. Third man: Matías Baibiene.
AM POLO 11-10 MAHRA
AM Polo Team: Sheikha Alia Al Maktoum 0 (1 goal), César Crespo 6, Isidro Strada 8 (8), Benjamin Urquiza 6 (2).
Mahra: Tariq Al Habtoor 1, Tomás Alberdi 6 (4 goals), Félix Esaín 6 (2), Jacinto Amadori 6 (3) (Subbed in by Aiti Garros, 5, in the fifth chukka; 1 goal).
Score AM Polo: 4-2, 6-6, 8-8, 9-9, 11-10.
Umpires: Matías Baibiene & Peter Wright. Third man: Jason Dixon.
The IFZA Gold Cup will continue on Thursday February 18, with double action, that will be streamed live on PoloLine TV:
2pm, Field 3: Dubai Wolves vs Ghantoot
4:15pm, Field 1: UAE Polo vs Clinova NOA Capital