Dubai: Maserati Polo Team captain Abdullah Bin Dasmal says he’s feeling positive heading into the prestigious Emirates Open Polo Championship which kicks-off on December 10.
Bin Dasmal will team up with Argentinian professionals Lucas Diaz Alberdi (+6 handicap), Felipe Llorene (+4) and Gregorio Geloso (+4) in the five-team tournament which will be played at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club in Abu Dhabi, between December 10 and 22.
The other team participating is the UAE Polo Team led by Shaikh Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Polo team featuring Faris Al Yabhouni, the Tariq Al Habtoor led Habtoor Polo Team and Tariq Al Bawardi’s Desert Palm Polo Team.
“We’re really looking forward to playing in the first major tournament of the season,” said Bin Dasmal. “It has always been a very competitive event, but we will do our best to win it.
“All of us have been training very hard together and I have a good feeling about the team. Polo is not about one player and his ability, it’s all about the team and how best we can support each other.
“I think we have a good team, with Lucas, Felipe and Gregoio all being very capable players. So yes, you’ve got to feel positive going into a tournament of this stature and prestige,” he added.
“The other four teams are looking strong, so it’s not going to be easy. But we’ll take it one match at a time in the qualification, and hopefully we’ll be playing for the Cup on the 22nd of December.”
Filipe Llorente, who scored two goals in the UAE National Day Cup tournament at Ghantoot last month, is also excited about playing in his fourth Emirates Open Polo Championship as a member of the Maserati Polo Team.
“This is a tournament that every polo player wants to play well in,” he said. “It is very competitive and there are no clear favourites.
“It’s all about a team performing well on the day. We understand that and have been practicing seriously.
“I think it’s important to do well in the opening games so we have to start strong and keep that momentum going through the tournament as everybody has the chance of winning in the end,” added the 24-year-old who plays in the pivotal number 2 position.
“This is my fourth appearance in the Emirates Open, a tournament I have won in the past with both Abdulla and Gregorio in my tea. So I’m very excited.”
Llorente says the level of polo tournaments at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and the rest of the UAE are of a very high standard.
“It’s always a pleasure to be playing on one of the teams and my goal is always to continue to improve and reach the highest level possible,” he said.
“I always want to give my best to ensure that my team does well and in the end, win the tournament.”
“Premier Motors, the official Maserati dealer in Abu Dhabi, are the official title sponsor of the Emirates Open Polo Championship for the second successive year.
TEAMS
Maserati Polo Team
Abdullah Bin Dasmal 0
Gregorio Gelosi 4
Felipe Llorente 4
Lucas Diaz Alberdi 6
Habtoor Polo Team
Tariq Al Habtoor 1
Miguel Amieva 4
Justo Cuitini 3
Guillermo Cuitino 6
Desert Pal Polo Team
Tariq Al Bawardy 1
Juan Jos Stroni 5
Matias Machado 4
UAE Polo Team
HH Shaikh Maitha 0
Pablo Avalos 2
Icnacio Acuna 5
Matias Benoit 6
Abu Dhabi Polo Team
Faris Al Yabhouni 0
TBC 3
TBC 5
TBC 6
