ADCB stun Ghantoot in Emirates Open Polo

ADCB beat hosts Ghantoot by two goals in the opening match of the Emirates Open Polo Championship on Saturday.

Last year’s champions, Ghantoot Polo Team, now have a day to recover before facing Emirates Polo Team on Monday in a must-win clash.

Saturday’s game began saw both sides score once in the opening chukker. Ahmed Al Neaimi and Nasser Al Dhaheri hit goals for ADCB and Ghantoot respectively.

ADCB drew ahead in the second chukker thanks to two from Abdullah Bin Desmal and a goal from Jorge Cernadas. ADCB cemented their lead in the third chukker, with another goal from Al Neaimi.

A concerted Ghantoot fight back saw Nasser Al Dhaheri and Ramiro Cordero scored one each for Ghantoot in the fourth and final chukker but it was too little too late and the claxon went with the score 5-3 in ADCB’s favour.

Bin Desmal said his side were pleased with their victory.

“It’s always good to win the opening match and we hope that we can now progress to the final,” he said. “Everybody played very well and we scored from a number of positions on the field.

“There is no such thing as an easy game when you are up against players of the standard we see here at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, so any time you win you know you have played well.

“We are now looking forward to our next game and plan to keep up the momentum from this victory.”

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, Emirates Open Polo Championship matches will take place on January 16 with ADCB v Emirates and conclude with the final on January 20.

All matches are open to the public.

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