The UAE National Day Cup 2020, held in honour of the country’s 49th year of the Spirit of the Union, had seven teams compete on the fields of Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
The Qualifying matches resulted into a Subsidiary Final between Mahra Polo and Ankora Polo; and AM Polo faced Green Gates Polo team at the Final Match.
Ankora had the lead from the start of the Subsidiary Final and kept a two-goal advantage by half time. Mahra had scored goals that kept them close to its opponent yet Ankora kept up the pace and had taken complete control of the last two chukkers, closing the game at eight goals to five.
Match Progression: 4 -2 | 4 – 2 | 5 – 4 | 8 – 5
Prior to the start the final match, AM Polo and Green Gates Polo teams proudly carried the UAE Flag followed by the UAE National Anthem. After each player was introduced, Green Gates grabbed the lead until the end of the second chukker at 3.5 goals to nil.
AM Polo team managed to meet them halfway with two goals at the penultimate chukker. The excitement kicked in at the final chukker as a penalty shot from AM Polo team inched the gap by half a goal. Both teams raced for the win, and Tomy Iriarte stole the victory from Green Gates at the last second that ended the match at 4.5 goals to 4.
Match Progression: 0 -2 | 0 – 4 | 2.5 – 4 | 4.5 – 4
H.E. Humaid Bin Drai, Founder and Chairman of Bin Drai Enterprises, awarded the teams of the day with Tomy Iriarte as the Most Valuable Player and Charm – the horse ridden by Tuki Guinazu – as the Best Playing Pony.
* All tournaments are subject to the regulations and guidelines issued by the authorities.
Source: Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club