Ankora, El Basha Polo, and Hesketh claimed victories on Day One of the Polo Masters Cup on Monday, February 7, at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The tournament sees seven teams, up to 8 goals, compete.
First up, Ankora Polo claimed an early 2-1 lead thanks to a second goal by Khalid Al Omranh at the end of the first. By half time, Mahra managed to level the score, thanks to the skills of Juanji Diaz Alberdi, but Ricardo Garros gave a splendid performance, scoring five decisive goals to give Ankora a comfortable lead. Mahra tried to battle back, but the damage was done, and Ankora took the 8-5 victory.
Up next, Tommy Beresford scored to give El Basha Polo a 2-0 advantage. After a 3-all tie in the second chukka, El Basha Polo widened their lead in the third chukka. Bin Drai did their best to battle back, but El Basha Polo took control of the game and to claim the win.
Hesketh Polo and UAE Polo played the last match of the day. Hesketh managed to maintain the lead, but it was a close contest. With 30 seconds left on the clock in the last chukka, Lukin Monteverde scored to tie the game 5-all. Tomas Palacios Bacque came through to seal the deal for Hesketh scoring a penalty conversion.
POLO MASTERS CUP- MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7:
ANKORA 8-5 MAHRA
ANKORA: Mohammed Khalid (-1), Khalid Alomran (0), Ricardo Garros (5), Pablo Urquiza (4).
MAHRA POLO: Khalaf Al Habtoor (0), Tariq Al Habtoor (1), Matias Gonzales (4), Juanji Diaza Alberdi (3).
Score Ankora: 2-2, 3-3, 8-3, 8-5.
EL BASHA POLO 8-5 BIN DRAI
EL BASHA POLO: Hani Jabshe (-1), Sam Browne (0), Justo Cuitinho (3), Tommy Beresford (6).
BIN DRAI: Faisal Yabroudi (0), Rashid bin Drai (1), Khalid bin Drai (1), Raul Laplacette (6).
Score El Basha: 0-2, 3-3, 6-3, 8-5.
HESKETH 6-5 UAE
HESKETH POLO: Lauren Dickson (-), Santos Iriarte (2), Tomas Palacios Bacque (3), Tomy Iriarte (4)-
UAE POLO: HH Sheikha Maitha (0), Sheikha Alia (0), Juan Cruz Gallego (3), Lucas Monteverde Jr. (5).
Score Hesketh: 1-0, 3-2, 4-2, 6-5.
The Polo Masters Cup resumes on Wednesday, February 9:
2,30pm: El Basha Polo vs. Estancia Lamar
4pm: Ankora vs. UAE Polo
THE FINAL OF THE POLO MASTERS CUP IS DUE ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12.
IMAGES:
THE POLO MASTERS CUP IS STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
POLO MASTERS CUP – TEAMS:
ANKORA: Mohammed Khalid (-1), Khalid Alomran (0), Ricardo Garros (5), Pablo Urquiza (4)
BIN DRAI: Faisal Yabroudi (0), Rashid bin Drai (1), Khalid bin Drai (1), Raul Laplacette (6)
EL BASHA POLO: Hani Jabshe (-1), Sam Browne (0), Justo Cuitinho (3), Tommy Beresford (6)
ESTANCIA LAMAR: Rayyan Al Ajaji (-1), Kian Hall (3), Maxi Malacalza (3), Ernesto Trotz (3)
HESKETH POLO: Lauren Dickson (-), Santos Iriarte (2), Tomas Palacios Bacque (3), Tomy Iriarte (4)
MAHRA POLO: Khalaf Al Habtoor (0), Tariq Al Habtoor (1), Matias Gonzales (4), Juanji Diaza Alberdi (3)
UAE POLO: HH Sheikha Maitha (0), Sheikha Alia (0), Juan Cruz Gallego (3), Lucas Monteverde Jr. (5)