July 8, 2006	Saturday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 11, 1427

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COLOMBO, July 7: Issara Kachaiwong regained Thailand's supremacy at continental level when he claimed his maiden crown and 11th for his country, beating Muhammad Shehab of United Arab Emirates (UAE) 6-3 in the final of 22nd Asian Snooker Championship late on Thursday.

Twenty-three years old from Bangkok, Kachaiwong demonstrated clever cue control, precise placements and master dipping of the multicoloured balls to emerge 58-50, 67-31, 21-102, 0-81, 70-63, 16-71, 66-06, 58-38, 62-35 winners. Kachaiwong started well by pocketing the first two frames.

Shehab fought back to make it 2-2 with a neatly-carved out break of 91. UAE player took sixth frame.

Kachaiwong collected glittering trophy and cash prize of US$2500 in addition to US$100 and trophy for highest break of 137 in the semifinal. Shehab got US$1200.

Earlier in the second semifinal on Wednesday night, Shehab pulled off a major surprise when came from behind to overpower title favourite and new Chinese teenage sensation Yuan Li 5-3 after an interesting tussle.

Shehab, semi-finalist of 2002 World Championship at Cairo, started well by picking up the opening frame. But 16-year-old Yuan Li, who routed Pakistan's Khurram Agha 5-1 in the quarterfinals, bounced back in the game by grabbing the next two frames.

Fourth frame was marred by safety play which Shehab won 42-01 to level the score two-all and added the next frame to forge 3-2 ahead.

Yuan played well in the sixth frame to 75-65. UAE Cueist outclassed Li in the 7th frame. In the deciding frame, Li took an early lead.

But a couple of breaks of twenties helped Shehab to seize the frame and assured a passage in the final.

Shehab won 63-43, 26-69, 49-106, 42-01, 60-17, 65-75, 74-19, 68-52.

In third place playoff Yuan Li of China beat Boon Aun Keith 3-1 to collect US$600 and Keith contended with US$300.

Now Asian players will gather in Karachi for the next edition of the championship scheduled to be held at Arabian Sea Country Club from July 2 to 8, 2007.—APP