Abu Dhabi: Team Buenos Aires extended their lease on Coutts Polo at the Palace when they pipped home team Coutts Abu Dhabi 6-4 in a close final on Saturday night.
After a cautious start from both teams, 2012 winners Buenos Aires hit the rhythm with exceptional play from Guillermo Cuitino, whose long-range shooting took his team into half-time four goals ahead.
Despite a spirited fight-back performance from Facundo Castagnola, whose attacking play brought his team within two goals, Coutts Abu Dhabi missed out on the title for a second year with Team Buenos Aires shooting four unanswered goals in the second chukka.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, presented the Coutts Cup to Cuitino and fellow Buenos Aires team members Habtoor Al Habtoor and Santiago Gomes Romero, who was also awarded this year’s “most valuable player”.
“After a spectacular plate final with Faberge Team London and Maserati Team Milan going 8 – 8 into extra time, only a wonder goal from Mario Gomez Duran could separate the two teams,” said Rory Heron, City Events CEO.
Coutts team Abu Dhabi’s loss against their Argentinean rivals for the second year running was a bitter pill to swallow in front of their home crowd, who had travelled from across the United Arab Emirates to watch the final.
