Dubai: The UAE made a strong start to their campaign at the 33rd Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) Men’s Snooker Championships that got under way in Doha on Saturday.
Mohammad Shehab, who was crowned champion at last month’s UAE Snooker Championships sponsored by Chocolate Advertising LLC, got off to a winning start with a 4-0 result against Marlon Manalo of the Philippines, while Khalid Al Kamali put up a brave fight as he powered to a magnificent high break of 87 for a 4-2 win against Alvin Barbero, also from the Philippines, in their Group B match.
Playing from Table 2 later in the afternoon, Eisa Ali Al Hashemi powered to a 4-1 win over Ali Hussain of Iraq, while former UAE multiple champion Mohammad Al Joker was scheduled to open his campaign against Taipei’s Hsin Ting Chen later on Saturday.
Shehab was the standout for the UAE as he raked in breaks of 78, 75, 63 and 61 to overwhelm his Filipino opponent. In the second Group A match, Aung Phyo of Myanmar defeated Iran’s Saeed Abooyesani 4-1.
Coached by Mohammad Abdullah, the UAE has four players participating in Doha including the experienced Mohammad Shehab, Mohammad Al Joker and Eisa Ali Al Hashemi, besides 24-year-old Khalid Al Kamali.
Meanwhile, multiple world champion Pankaj Advani of India also got off to a winning start with an emphatic 4-1 win against Ko Htet from Myanmar. The 31-year-old, who has 16 world titles to his name, including 12 in billiards and another four in snooker, is one of the stars of the competition.
The 33rd ACBS Men’s Snooker Championships has attracted a total of 66 players, who have been divided into 16 groups for the preliminary round matches that will be held daily until April 25. The Round of 32 and 16 will be played on April 26, while the quarter-finals and semi-finals are slated for April 27 and the final on April 28.
RESULTS
Mohammad Shehab def. Marlon Manalo 4-0; Khalid Al Kamali def. Alvin Barbero 4-2; Eisa Ali Al Hashemi def. Ali Hussain 4-1.
