Dubai: Habtoor Polo and Abu Dhabi qualified for the Hildon Cup final after winning their respective semi-finals at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club (DPEC) on Wednesday.
Habtoor beat Mahra 11-8, while Abu Dhabi got the better of Desert Palm 1 10-7 to set up their final clash on Friday.
Abu Dhabi, led by their patron Fares Al Yabhouni, took their time to settle in. The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the opening chukka, but Abu Dhabi managed to sneak clear 5-4 at the end of the second and led 6-5 in the third chukka and 8-7 at the fourth, before eventually adding another two goals to finish 10-8 and head towards a second straight title.
The second semi-final between Habtoor and Mahra was a tough one, with both teams matching each other in all departments and staying tied 6-6 at the end of the third chukka.
But with patron Mohammad Al Habtoor giving it his all and some solid defending from Argentinian pro Guillermo Cuitino, Al Habtoor took the lead 8-7 in the penultimate chukka. In the final chukka, Cuitino scored a field goal, Santi Cernandas converted a 60-yard penalty and Al Habtoor sealed the match with a minute to go.
The finals will be played at DPEC on Friday, with Habtoor Polo taking on defending champions Abu Dhabi in the Hildon Cup final at 1pm, followed by the McLaren Cup final between Ghantoot Polo and Desert Palm 2 at 4pm.
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, in its sixth year, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
