Colombres hits six but Al Ain still lose

Abu Dhabi: Oscar Colombres scored six goals for Al Ain Mineral Water (AIMW) but that was not enough to stop them going down 8-7 to Team Emirates in the opening match of the HH The President's Polo Cup at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo fields on Saturday.

Team Emirates, who were down 3-1 at the end of the first chukka, rallied to grab full points in the four-team annual championship being held under the patronage of Shaikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Team Emirates heroes were Augustin Scopsi Wulf with four goals and Fernando Quinto with three.

Colombres scored three in the first chukka to start with a hat-trick for AIMW while Wulf pulled one back for Team Emirates.

Forged ahead

Colombres extended his form to the second chukka with two more goals while Wulf also scored two and Naser Al Daheri added one as Team Emirates began to find some form.

However, in the third chukka Team Emirates scored two without reply and forged ahead for the first time in the match at 6-5. Carlos and Quinto scored to help their team take a grip of the proceedings. The final chukka was a close affair. The teams shared four goals with Quinto getting two. Colombres netted his sixth and Juan Roman also scored, but Team Emirates held on.

"This is a big event and we are honoured to be part of this," said Fashat Baig of AIMW, the main sponsors.

Ghantoot and Habtoor Polo Team are the two other teams in the event. All four meet each other in a round-robin league and the two top teams will contest the final on February 28.

Today's match: Al Habtoor Team v Ghantoot, 3.30pm, Field No. 1, GRPC.