AM Polo team emerge winners at UAE National Day Cup 2024

Al Habtoor Polo Club came alive with a dazzling showcase of skill, sportsmanship, and equestrian excellence as the UAE National Day Cup finals culminated in a thrilling conclusion.

This prestigious week-long tournament brought together elite polo teams and passionate fans, offering an unforgettable celebration of the sport.

The subsidiary final between Bin Drai and Al Faisal was a nail-biting clash, showcasing remarkable skill and determination from both sides. The intensity was evident from the start, with Rashid Bin Drai opening the scoring early and setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle. Al Faisal, however, demonstrated incredible resilience and teamwork, steadily narrowing the score gap. Tomas Iriarte’s exceptional leadership and strategic play became pivotal as the match progressed, inspiring his team to push forward. Despite their relentless effort and impressive rally, Al Faisal ultimately fell short, leaving Bin Drai to claim the victory.

The finals between Habtoor Polo and AM Polo delivered a heart-stopping showdown as both teams battled fiercely, exchanging scores from the opening moments to the final whistle. The action began with a dynamic start as Pablo Urquiza of AM Polo secured the first goal, setting the stage for an electrifying contest. JJ Diaz Alberdi of Habtoor Polo showcased incredible determination, quickly leveling the score with skillful plays.

However, a series of controversial penalty calls by Umpire Nano Iturrioz, favoring AM Polo, ultimately proved decisive. Pablo Urquiza capitalized on the penalties with precision, securing vital points. As the sun set over the field, AM Polo clinched a hard-fought victory, and were named as the UAE National Day Cup 2024 winners.

Heightening the anticipation and prestige of the UAE National Day Cup 2024 finals, Martin G. Pederson, Chairman of IFZA and season sponsor, had the honor of presenting awards to the players and the winning team.

Ciro Urturi was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals, while Cascabel, owned by Sheika Alya Maktoum and ridden by Pali Urquiza, was celebrated as the Best Playing Pony.