Ghantoot face Abu Dhabi today in Emirates Polo Championship International blockbuster final

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Defending champions Ghantoot will take on Abu Dhabi in the final of Emirates Polo Championship International on Tuesday.

The 20th edition of the Emirates Polo Championship International is being held under the generous patronage of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

A total prize purse of $100,000 is up for grabs at the tournament.

The championship is being held in association with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and supported by Capex.com and Paris Reverie.

The final game of the prestigious tournament, which carries a handicap of 10-12 goals, will kick off at 4:00pm and take place behind closed doors due to COVID-19 precautionary and preventive measures in place.

Brimming with confidence after winning all their matches in the tournament, Ghantoot will be looking to play with the same momentum in the final showdown once again to retain the title.

 Abu Dhabi skipper Faris Al Yabhouni says each game is different and in the final, both the teams are evenly balanced.

It will be a rematch as both Abu Dhabi and Ghantoot faced each other earlier in the championship, with the latter registering an easy win.

Ghantoot, who defeated AM/Habtoor in last year’s final, have strategised to play aggressively against their opponents, says skipper Nasser Al Shamsi.

“Our plan for the final is to play aggressively. As we have done in the previous matches, our focus is on playing a fast game and score as much as possible,” he added.

En route to the final, Ghantoot beat Bin Drai 9-4½ and later downed Abu Dhabi 7-1½.

“We are the defending champions and the hosts in this tournament and it is the first major tournament of our season and so we know it is very important that we play to the best of our ability. Definitely pressure will be on us to win the final again, but we are determined to give our best shot,” Shamsi added.

“Though we have faced them earlier, but we will not take them lightly. At the start of the event, our priority was to reach the final. Now we will be gunning for glory and I have selected the team accordingly,” said the skipper.

Ghantoot once again will be relying on Manuel Toccalino, who is in great form and topping the scoring charts with eight goals.

The Argentine scored five in the opener against Bin Drai and four against Abu Dhabi in their last match.

Faris Al Yabhouni-led Abu Dhabi made a comeback in the tournament, managing to reach the final after overcoming Bin Drai in a close match.

Yabhouni billed Tuesday’s final as the Abu Dhabi derby and expressed confidence in his team.

“Each game is different and in the final both the teams are evenly balanced. Besides better co-ordination, our team will be marking the rival players during the clash,” disclosed Yabhouni.

“Ghantoot are tough opponents but if we play with rhythm, I am confident our players are capable of winning the game,” he added.

Delighted with the success of the event, which is on the cusp of its climax, Zayed Khalifa Zayed Al Aboudi Al Zaabi, Executive Director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, said: “As we are heading into the final, the three clashes so far have produced the prospect of a thrilling final for all of us to enjoy. I wish both finalists well and look forward to seeing who will emerge as the champions.”

Polo enthusiasts can watch the action live on the Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club’s social media platforms and live transmission through Abu Dhabi sports channels.