In the opening match of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 quarterfinals, both Ghantoot Polo and Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo teams displayed a defensive play, with one lead for Bangash Dodson & Horrell. Tomas F. Llorente Jr. for the Bangash Polo team scored the first goal of the game, and by the third chukker he closed it with a 1-goal lead for the team, bringing the score 5 goals to 4. Ghantoot Polo accelerated their performance by scoring three goals, resulting in a tied score of 7 goals each by the end of the penultimate chukker. Marcos Araya from Ghantoot Polo and Federico Von Potobsky from Bangash Dodson & Horrell Polo each scored a goal, ending the 5th chukker with 8 goals to all. For the second time in the tournament we witnessed a golden goal, and this time it was Haider Bangash, the Patron of the Bangash team, who clinched the winning goal. The team’s impressive victory secured their place in the semifinals.
Match Progression:
1 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 5 – 4 | 7 – 7 | 9 – 8
Top Scorer: Marcos Araya – 7 goals
The much-anticipated match between Dubai Wolves by CAFU and AM Polo team began with a promising start, as Teodora Lacau scored the opening goal. The Wolves maintained their lead until the second chukker, and in the third, the team’s Patron, Habtoor Al Habtoor, scored a goal to extend their lead. However, Benjamin Urquiza and Benjamin Strada from AM Polo responded with a goal each, resulting in a tied score of 5 goals by the end of the third. During the penultimate chukker, AM Polo’s Cesar Crespo and Benjamin Urquiza scored two consecutive goals, turning the tables in their team’s favor. In the final stretch, Habtoor Al Habtoor of Dubai Wolves by CAFU managed to score, bringing the score to double digits, but ultimately it was Cesar Crespo who sealed the victory for AM Polo with a final score of 11-10.
Match Progression:
1 – 3 | 2 – 4 | 5 – 5 | 9 – 8 | 11 – 10
Top Scorer: Benjamin Urquiza and Carlos Ulloa – 6 goals
The Subsidiary Semifinal of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 is on 28th February at Al Habtoor Polo Club:
14:15 | Clinova Noa Capital Polo vs. Ghantoot Polo| Field 1
16:15 | Mahra by AIX Investment Group Polo vs. Dubai Wolves by CAFU Polo | Field 3
