Team Emirates move into final with sterling show

Abu Dhabi: Aided by four goals from Abdullah Bin Desmal, defending champions Team Emirates scored a 12-9 win over Ghantoot A to earn a place in today's final of the Emirates Open Polo Championship.

In Monday's final league match, which was virtually reduced to a semifinal, Emirates came from behind to edge out their rivals and set up a final clash with Ghantoot B.

Despite the heavy rains over the past few days, the polo fields at Ghantoot were in top shape and the six chukka encounter produced some fast and skilful play.

The highly-skilled Argentine pros were soon in action when three goals were scored in the first chukka.

Rodolfo Ducos opened the scoring for Emirates but Ghantoot hit back through Gonzalo Azumendi.

Just before the chukka ended Azumendi scored a fine field goal and Emirates led 2-1.

In the second chukka, Azumendi completed his hat-trick but not before Abdullah Bin Desmal scored two quick goals for Emirates.

Superb effort

Juan Jose Araya, another 6-goal handicap player from Argentina came up with a superb effort and Emirates led 4-3 for the first time.

The third chukka again saw a lot of action and the teams ended it on 6-6. First it was Khalifa Al Hammadi who equalised for Ghantoot and Azumendi put them back ahead 5-4.

But Ducos also scored to make it 5-5 before Nasser Al Shamsi again put Ghantoot 6-5 ahead. But Araya scored his second and the teams were level 6-6.

Then came the fourth chukka which proved to be decisive for Emirates. They scored four goals with Abdullah Bin Desmal scoring twice and Araya and Ducos also adding one each.

Ghantoot's lone goal as they were overpowered by their rivals came from Khalifa Al Hammadi.

In the fifth chukka Ducos converted two penalties and Emirates were ahead 12-7 before Azumendi managed pulled one back just before the hooter.

Azumendi went on to score again in the final chukka with a well-taken penalty but their fight back ended there and Emirates were through 12-9.