So today saw the start of the 2011 World Cup, back on our screens after a 15-year absence. Click below for a round-up of today’s results and to view the group tables after day one…
- Click here to view the latest results and standings
With their vast experience the Republic of Ireland team were one of my tips to shine this week but somewhat bizarrely despite each making a century break in the frames that they did win, Ken Doherty and Fergal O’Brien were to lose out 3-2 to Pakistan duo Sahid Aftab and Muhammad Sajjad.
It was Ireland who got off to the stronger start as Ken opened with a 111 before a three frame winning streak including two singles victories for Aftab and crucial doubles win secured the match win. A silver lining for Ireland was that Fergal O’Brien managed to take the final frame so that their frame difference was not too badly affected, but a win against Egypt on Wednesday morning is now crucial if they are to progress beyond the group stages.
Elsewhere there was also a surprising defeat for Hong Kong against a Polish team led by snooker’s youngest professional Kacper Filipiak. Some had begun to fear for Kacper given a couple of heavy defeats early in the season but an impressive victory against former Grand Prix champion Marco Fu as well as a doubles win highlighted his potential.
There were mixed fortunes for the two Thai teams as the ‘A’ team led by local hero James Wattana lost 4-1 to Neil Robertspn’s Australia while the ‘B’ team secured a narrow 3-2 win against Afghanistan.
As expected Northern Ireland came through against India while China came through against Malta despite a victory for Tony Drago against Liang Wenbo. Arguably the shock result of the day however came as Brazil came through against a Belgium team boasting two professionals despite to me fielding two players that I had not heard of prior to this tournament.