KARACHI, Oct 7: Pakistan Open team put up a great fight before going 14-16 down against Japan in the bridge event of the inaugural World Mind Games in Beijing.

According to a message received here on Tuesday, Pakistan team comprising former and current students of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) including Ahsan Qureshi, Zia Hyder Naqi, Jehangir Ahmed, Khalid Butt, Yesser Raheem and Farrukh Liaquat put up a spirited display before losing.

At the end of 11 rounds, Pakistan Open team mustered 149 victory points (VPs) and were facing massive task of qualifying for the knockout round from group ‘A’.

Pakistan’s slim hopes of making to the quarter-final round were shattered when they suffered a massive 2-25 defeat against fancied Denmark.

The win elevated Denmark to second position in the group.

Former world champions Italy took the lead with score of 199 VPs after ten rounds followed by Denmark 190.5, Estonia 178, Canada 172.5 and South Africa 172.

In group ‘B’, after ten rounds, Israel with 221 VPs is leading with their nearest rivals the Netherlands at 188. India and Hungary were trailing behind at 182 and 177 respectively.

Poland and world champions Norway are neck and neck in group ‘C’ with 207 and 206.5 VPs respectively.

In group ‘D’, Germany with 216 VPs have the lead followed by former world champions USA 201, Turkey 187, England 183 and Indonesia 182.

In women sections, England 212, USA 195, Italy and Poland 181 are the top performers in one group.

In the third group of the women’s section where Pakistan are making belated efforts to improve, a very strong German team with 212 VPs is almost certain to qualify.

Pakistan Seniors have improved their position overnight after winning two good matches. First they beat France 20-10 and then Chinese Taipei 20-10.

In youth groups of U-21 and U-26, there are 36 teams in all.

France with 214 VPs is leading over England 208, Chinese Taipei 197.5 and Bulgaria 194. Pakistan U-21 are placed on the 13th position with little hopes to qualify.

In U-28 competition, Pakistan slipped to 32nd position from 31st. They lost 10th round match 10-20 to Greece.

Poland are leading the bunch with 198 closely followed by England 189, Belgium 188, China 185 and Hungry 182.—APP