HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made history in Dubai with a storming victory over Hungary in the inaugural 16-goal Emirates Cup in Dubai.
A dominant force throughout the ten-day tournament at Desert Palm, Sheikha Maitha’s Godolphin Polo excelled in the final to seal a landmark victory that firmly establishes both patron and team as serious contenders for future glory as the UK high-goal season beckons.
A much anticipated thriller, the final was the highlight of a glittering afternoon of polo at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm estate.
Rashid Albwardy opened Godolphin’s account in the opening minutes with Ollie Cudmore following suit to put Godolphin two up by the end of the first chukka.
Andras Tombor’s Hungary found the form they were searching for in the second chukka with a neatly converted penalty but Ollie wasted no time redressing the balance in Godolphin’s favour to move Sheikha Maitha’s quartet ahead 3-1.
Hungary bounced back again though and by half-time Godolphin were just one goal ahead, 3-2.
Godolphin widened the gap in the third chukka which closed, after seven minutes of end-to-end play at full pelt, 5-2.
Bringing the audience to its feet on the terrace Hungary stormed into the fourth chukka pushing to the wire and sending three goals between the Godolphin posts. Time was not on Hungary’s side however and an immaculate penalty conversion by Godolphin sealed the deal 6-5 at the end of a match packed with drama and skill.
Earlier in the afternoon Great Britain beat Iraq by just one goal in the final of the UAE Nations Cup. Iraq opened strongly with patron Musab Alwandawi scoring the only goal in the first chukka. Great Britain replied and then pushed hard in the second to go 3-2 up by half-time and, notably thanks in no small part to young Henry Porter who at just 13 was playing superbly in his first final, the Brits ultimately rode out winners at 4-3.
The EFG International Most Valuable Player trophy was awarded to Zedan Polo patron Amr Zedan and the Equestrio Best Playing Pony rug was secured by HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Salins played by Lucas Monteverde.
No comments:
Post a Comment