Dubai: Gallant UAE crashed out of the Snooker World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand after suffering their third defeat in the $700,000 invitational tournament today.
The UAE, represented by Abu Dhabi-based Mohammad Shehab and Dubai’s Mohammad Al Joker, were beaten 5-0 by an experienced Maltese team comprising Tony Drago and Alex Borg.
Shehab, who turned giant killer on Wednesday when he beat world number four Ding Junhui of China 63-15 in their 3-2 defeat, lost to Drago 112-0 and before he was beaten 80-32 to Alex Borg.
His team-mate Mohammad Al Joker lost 65-25 to Borg before he was defeated 106-12 by Drago.
Shehab and Al Joker gave it their best shot in the doubles but failed to turn the tables on Drago and Borg, who prevailed 63-25.
Three defeats effectively mean that the UAE will not qualify for the quarter-finals and render tomorrow’s final group match against hot favourites Australia inconsequential.
Earlier, the UAE lost their opening Group B match 4-1 to Thailand A.
In another Group C match currently in progress today Northern Ireland, led by former world amateur champion Mark Allen, were leading Belgium 2-0.
In yesterday’s late games Wales beat Germany 3-2 in Group A while the Republic of Ireland defeated Egypt 4-1.
Twenty teams of two players each are participating in the tournament.
The top eight are seeded and drawn into four groups of five teams each. The top two teams in each group advance to the Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Each match includes singles and doubles frames, and is played to a format similar to that of the Davis Cup in tennis.
UAE results
lost to Thailand 4-1
lost to China 3-2
lost to Malta 5-0
