Gonzalez penalty seals Mahra Polo victory

Nacho Gonzalez scored from the spot during sudden death to help Rashid Al Habtoor's Mahra Polo to an exciting 9-8 win against the Dubai Falcons in the final while Habtoor Polo helped themselves to a consolation third place at the Royal Jet Polo Cup Championships that concluded at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club on Friday. The final started at a fast pace and it was Gonzalez who was in the thick of action for Mahra Polo as they led the Khalid Bin Drai-led Falcons 2-1 at the end of the first chukka. But Dubai Falcons were back on level terms with the outstanding Salvador Ulloa leading from the front. Mahra came right back to regain the lead only to the Falcons tie up things at 3-3 at the end of the second chukka. In the third chukka Mahra opened up a two-goal advantage, thanks to some nice work from Mario Gomez. But the Falcons were not out and Bin Drai got his name on the scoresheet to draw even 5-5. The Falcons carried forward the momentum from the last Chukka as they took a two-goal lead. The teams then exchanged goals with Mario Gomez scoring for Mahra and Nico Petrachi for the Falcons. Mahra pulled back to 8-7 setting up a frantic last 90 seconds that saw the Rashid Al Habtoor team equalize with only 30 seconds remaining and push the match into sudden death extra time after being tied 8-8. And it was then that Gonzalez stepped up to convert the penalty and hand over the trophy to Mahra Polo. Meanwhile, Mohammad Al Habtoor's Habtoor Polo claimed the third spot winning the subsidiary final by squeezing past Abu Dhabi 6-5. Habtoor Polo led at all chukkas, and even a late charge from Abu Dhabi was not enough as Habtoor Polo held on for a 6-5 victory.