Hugo Barabucci, the Argentine professional who has played a stellar role in leading the ADCB Polo team to the final of the President of the UAE Cup without losing a match in the group phase, said all that will count for nothing if they cannot win tonight's final.
"This is the most important game and this is the result that matters," said Barabucci ahead of the final against Ghantoot, whom they edged out 7-6 in the group phase. Today's rematch is at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
"It will be a very close game again, as both teams are equally balanced on 12 handicaps.
"It will be the best team on the night and I wish it will be us. We have been playing well so far as a team, and we need one more big effort to win this final. Everyone in the team has contributed to the success.
"Matias [Colombres] and the two Emiratis players, Nasser al Dhari and Abdulla bin Desmal, have played really well. My form has also been pretty good.
"So we are hopeful we can keep the slate clean."
Barabucci is no stranger to the UAE. He first arrived in 2001 and this is his fifth visit.
"I know all these players and Ghantoot is one of the best places to play," Barabucci said.
"The Emirati players whom I know have all improved and they are now contributing massively to the teams they play [for]."
Ghantoot outclassed Al Basti 10-5 in last night's qualification game to get through to the final of the five-team competition.
Gonzalo Azumendi, the Argentine professional, led the scoring with four goals, with his Emirati teammates Nasser al Shamsi and Ahmed al Nuemi both scoring three.
Juan Manual Roman scored twice, and Ahmed bin Desmal, Ali al Marri and David Bernal were also on target for Al Basti.
"That was the result we were looking for," said al Shamsi, the Ghantoot captain. "We put in a very strong performance, with a number of our players scoring multiple goals, so we know we have a lot of firepower ahead of our big game.
"It's true that ADCB are the form team here, but we are the defending champions and we know what it takes to win this event.
"We also want to keep the trophy on Ghantoot's soil.
"We will be putting everything we have into our match to ensure that whatever happens we can walk away with no regrets.
"And if ADCB want the trophy they will have to fight very hard to get it."
It was al Shamshi who opened the scoring in the first minute and al Nuaimi doubled it two minutes later to set the platform.
Azumendi, who has been in good form, then took charge.
