Dubai: Team Cadillac successfully defended their title with an exciting 10-8 win over Team Lindt at the 2016 Beach Polo Cup Dubai presented by Cadillac, at Skydive Dubai, late on Sunday.
Trailing 2-3 after an intense opening chukka, Team Cadillac fought back to draw level 5-5 midway through the match. The scores were then tied 7-7 going in the fourth and final chukka, but Team Cadillac found the extra gear to pip Team Lindt in a dramatic finale before an appreciative crowd.
Cadillac’s team included Emirati patron Tariq Al Bawardi, who scored the final’s opening goal to further underline his position as an influential figure in the local polo scene; patron Sam Instone from the UK, who plays at Dubai’s Desert Palm Polo Club, and internationally-acclaimed Argentinian professional Matias Machado, who followed up leading Team Cadillac to victory last year by scoring what proved to be this year’s title-clinching goal.
Racing clear with only two-and-a-half minutes on the clock, Machado’s pivotal goal ended the brave challenge put up by Team Lindt’s British-born patron Stuart Wrigley, patron Carlos Pinal from Spain and Argentinean professional Maxi Malacalza.
In the play-off for third place, Team Qatar Airways made their debut with a 15-8.5 win over Team Hills Advertising. After a thrilling first chukka, Team Qatar Airways broke away in the third and fourth chukkas following a top display by talented Argentinean player, Lucas Labat.
With Labat’s compatriot Martin Gandarra setting an impressive tempo for Team Hills Advertising, Labat and Team Qatar Airways scored four goals in the game’s final five minutes to add gloss to the final scoreline.
