Nissan Leaf pip Royal Pearls in final
dubai — Hotly-tipped Team Nissan Leaf held off a spirited Team Royal Pearls to claim top honours in the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017, the pre-tournament favourites edging their rivals 9-6 under lights at a purpose-built arena at Skydive Dubai.
The Grand Final held yesterday evening, received a surprise visit from Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club.
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council, threw in the first ball of the final at an event held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.
Having romped into a 5-1 halftime lead, Team Nissan Leaf — featuring Argentinian Matias Machado and the UAE’s Tariq and Rashed Albwardy — held Team Royal Pearls at bay throughout two finely-balanced final chukkas to seal ultimate victory.
Despite losing the final, Team Royal Pearls’ Argentinian skipper Lucas Labat claimed individual honours by winning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
“It’s mixed emotions for us as we draw the curtain on another extremely successful edition of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai — on one hand we have held our most successful and well-attended event to date, and on the other we have to say farewell to our packed-out arena, stylish crowds and buzzing atmosphere for another twelve months,” said Gabriela Katiela, event & tournament director.
“We have come so far in establishing Beach Polo Cup weekend as one of the biggest events in Dubai’s sporting calendar. The competition was exceptionally strong this year, so a huge congratulations to Team Nissan Leaf and we look forward to seeing them defend their title next year.”
In the subsidiary final, Team Hills Advertising finished third overall after defeating Team Art Marine 5-1 in a largely one-sided encounter.