Hong Kong lift Emarat trophy

The collective desire that drives a team to victory was very much in evidence as Hong Kong beat Malaysia in the finals of the third Emarat International Snooker Tournament at the Dubai Snooker Club yesterday.

The confident 2-1 victory over their South East Asian friends and rivals confirmed that they possess a remarkable spirit and tenacity and marks them out as a team to watch at next month's Asian Games in South Korea.

It was not an indomitable triumph by any stretch of the imagination but it had the power of surprise, considering Malaysia had simply overwhelmed them 3-0 when they first met in the league phase of the tournament three days earlier.

To turn the tables around on such an experienced side as Malaysia, was a victory for youth.