Mohammad Al Habtoor was at his scoring best to lead the Al Habtoor Polo Team to a fluent 11-7 win against the visiting Moscow Polo Club at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. The polo match was played as part of the Russia Investment Roadshow that was held in Dubai.

The evening belonged to Mohammad Al Habtoor as he scored an amazing six goals to negate all the hard work put in by a couple of Argentineans – Alejandro Traverso and Hernan Traverso – who were on loan for the Moscow team.

Al Habtoor Polo Team captain Rashid Al Habtoor received the glittering crystal trophy from Philip Grant, General Manager of the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. “They were a tough team, but I suppose we had the edge because we have been together for a much longer time and we were playing on our home ground,” Rashid stated. The home team made the strongest of starts with six-handicapper Fernando Bourdieu from Argentina and Mohammad Al Habtoor pushing in two goals to make it 2-0 before the end of two minutes. But the Russians fought back through goals from Alejandro and Hernan.

Skipper Rashid Al Habtoor made it 3-2 in favour of the Dubai team while Mohammad scored his second of the evening to end the first chukker at 4-2. The Al Habtoor Team added another two goals early in the second chukker to take a firm grip on the match, only to see Hernan and Alejandro score once each to draw near 4-6. The home team’s professional from Argentina Justo del Carril also got his name on the scoresheet even as Alejandro completed a fine hattrick for the visitors to put the score at 7-5.

However, all the excitement was reserved for the fourth and final chukker as the Russians went on an all-out strategy that saw them come within a goal of the Al Habtoor Team at 8-7. But that was when Mohammad Al Habtoor stepped in with two quick goals and Bourdieu added another to seal the match in favour of the Dubai team.“This has been the first time for us and it has been a privilege to come and represent Russia right here in Dubai. It has truly been a wonderful experience for all of us,” admitted Moscow Polo Club captain Alexis O. Rodzianko.

“We are proud of our performance, but it was the early two goals and the late three goals that sort of decided the match. It would be great to have this team come over to Moscow and play against us on our ground,” he hoped.At the presentation, Rashid Al Habtoor was more than pleased to accept the invitation. “It would be a pleasure to go and play this team in Moscow,” Rashid Al Habtoor stated.