KARACHI, Sept 9: Pakistan must beat host United Arab Emirates (UAE) ‘A’ in their last league tie to assure a place in the semifinals of eight-nation Emarat International Snooker Championship, according to information made available Monday.
There was fierce competition in Group A with as many as four teams, UAE ‘A’, Pakistan, Thailand and Singapore in the run for a place in the last four stage of the competition.
UAE ‘A’ have won all three previous matches but they may still miss the semifinal line-up if they are hammered by Pakistan and Thailand prevails over Singapore.
The hosts, however, will safely move through to the semifinals, without worrying for the result of their game against Pakistan if Singapore upsets Thailand.
Pakistan, after losing to Thailand, need to defeat UAE ‘A’ to stay afloat in the competition. In the event of Pakistan beating UAE ‘A’ and Thailand overcoming Singapore, three teams will be tied with three wins each but Pakistan have enjoyed a better record in league games which will come handy in the final count.
Singapore and India recorded emphatic victories on the penultimate day of league matches Sunday night.
Hong Kong moved into semifinals despite crashing to defeat at the hands of Group B leaders Malaysia while India’s win over UAE ‘C’ was just of an academic interest as they are not in the race for semifinals after having lost to both Malaysia as well as Hong Kong.
Pakistan had opened their campaign with 2-1 win over Singapore. They fared even better against Egypt in the next game winning 3-0 but they lost their way against Thailand despite having got the measure of their top player, Noppadon Noppachorn.
While number two Saleh Muhammad has performed very well, having won all three matches, the form of Khurram Agha and Muhammad Yousuf has been a cause of concern for the Pakistan team management.
The Pakistan boys were optimistic about their chances but their management was cautious while predicting the outcome.
“It could be anybody’s game. Of course UAE ‘A’ are in great form having won all their three matches.
They are more familiar with the tables here that are in use during the championship. Beating the hosts would be a tall order but we could certainly win if all our guys play up to their potential,” Chef de- mission Asghar Valika said on Monday.
Following were the results of the matches:
India bt UAE ‘C’ (winner name first) Yasin Merchant bt Muhammad Jassim Al Raees 4-0, Rifat Habib bt Muhammad Bel Gaizi 4-1, Pankaj Advani bt Amin Fikree 4-0. Malaysia bt Hong Kong 3-0. Ann Seng bt Fung Kwon Wai 4-1, Ooi Fook Yein bt Chan Kwok Ming 4-2, Sam Chong bt Au Chi Wai 4-1. Singapore bt Egypt. Lim Chun Kiat bt Muhammad Al Hami 4-1, Keith Boon Aun bt Hosam Alam 4-3, Ang Boon Chin bt Wael Talath 4-3.—APP