DUBAI — Habtoor Polo and Abu Dhabi won their semifinal matches against Bin Drai and Ghantoot, respectively, to reach the final of the Silver Cup, Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2013. The final of the Silver Cup will be played at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club Saturday. The match will begin at 4 p.m. Habtoor Polo had to do its best to beat Bin Drai 7-6 in overtime. Mohammed Al-Habtoor's team had a great start and secured a difference of three goals in the first chukkas (4-1) but Bin Drai came back strongly in the second half to tie the game. Thanks to a 30-yard penalty made by Ezequiel Martinez, Habtoor Polo reached the final. The second match of the day saw Abu Dhabi defeat Ghantoot 10-9. It was a great polo game, full of intensity. Faris Al-Yabouni's team played its best match of the season to defeat favorites Ghantoot. Excellent teamwork helped hand Abu Dhabi a ticket to the final. Six teams are taking part of the series — Habtoor Polo; Mahra Polo; Zedan Polo; Bin Drai Polo; Abu Dhabi Polo and Ghantoot Polo. Among the sponsors for this year's event are: La Martina, Bentley Emirates, Habtoor Motors, SpeedFit, DiamondLease and Hildon Water. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the tournament has grown in tandem with the city of Dubai. With its exciting mix of top-class sportsmanship and glamor, it has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious events on the international polo calendar. This year the organizers upped the stakes by increasing the handicap from 15 to 16 goals. That means the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (Dubai Open) is now the highest handicapped tournament in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. — SG
