Polo: Abu Dhabi win the Silver Cup

2011 Gold Cup winners Abu Dhabi picked up exactly where they left off in the final of the Dubai Polo Silver Cup yesterday, overcoming Zedan Polo 7-3 in an absorbing final at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. Faris Al Yabhouni’s team didn’t have it all their own way, however; indeed they were indebted to a late first half goal to prevent them beginning the second half behind their opponents. However, Abu Dhabi emerged a different team after the break, and fully merited their victory. Zedan took the lead inside the first minute of the match with a penalty, before Abu Dhabi, with a penalty of their own at the beginning of the second chukker. Zedan took the lead once more through a great goal by Alec White, but Abu Dhabi equalised on the stroke of half time. The goal, however, was marred by an injury to Paco Nevez, who required medical attention and had to be substituted. Whatever was said by the Abu Dhabi players at the break worked a treat, as they came out for the third chukker a team reborn, and took the lead for the first time in the match soon after the restart. The scoreline of 3-2 became 4-2 as Francisco split the posts, but those who thought Abu Dhabi would run away with it at this point were surprised, as Zedan pulled the scores back to 4-3 at the end of the third chukker. The scene was nicely set for some final chukker drama, but that didn’t materialise as Abu Dhabi took complete control of the match from there on. Abu Dhabi’s fifth goal was shrouded in controversy as Zedan appealed to the referees for interference, but the goal stood, before White then missed a glorious opening to reduce the deficit to one once again, as he shot horribly wide when right in front of the target. And White and Zedan were made to pay for that miss as Abu Dhabi added two quick-fire goals to seal the Silver Cup triumph, which was paraded around the polo grounds by Al Yabhouni and his team. Abu Dhabi and Zedan will now join Mahra Polo, Ghantoot Polo, Bin Drai Polo and Habtoor Polo in the prestigious Gold Cup, which begins February 24 at the same location, and runs until March 9.