Day of misery for UAE fans

Dubai: UAE snooker player Mohammad Shehab failed to show his customary killer instinct at the Asian Snooker Championship when he was beaten 5-4 by Khurram Agha.

Despite fighting back from 3-1 down to level the match at 4-4 and taking a crucial lead in the decider, the Pakistani threw caution to the wind and after sinking a long red never looked back.

It was a disappointment for UAE fans and it got worse when UAE No 2 Mohammad Al Joker was taken apart by A Bulaijang of China 1-5.

Eisa Sayeed, the other hope from UAE, was also blown away 1-5 by Malaysia's Moh Keen Ho. Another Asian Championship and another chance missed for UAE players to claim the Asian title.

Something special is needed by the UAE association if a champion is to come forward. They have relied too much on Mohammad Shehab and Al Joker and the burden is telling on these players.

Safety tactics

Given his prowess in safety tactics, Pankaj Advani was always the favourite going into his match against Saleh Mohammad of Pakistan, and he lived up to his reputation.

Frustrating Saleh at every step, he reduced the Pakistan cueist to a bundle of nerves, who could do nothing but fret and fume, every time Pankaj was on the table. Having taken the first frame from right under Saleh's nose, he kept up the pressure and wrapped up the match 5-0

Keeping Advani company in the quarterfinals was compatriot Aditya Mehta, who walked away with an easy 5-0 win against Susantha Boteju of Sri lanka. Boteju was expected not to trouble the scorers and he allowed Aditya a comfortable passage into the next round.

Mohammad Sajjad gave the Pakistani supporters yet another reason to smile after Khurram Agha's win, when he edged out Keith Boon of Singapore.

Sajjad has been a find for Pakistan, and if nurtured could well be their flag bearer for many years. He now faces Aditya Mehta and will need some outstanding snooker to outwit the Indian.

In a clash between two countrymen, Fung Kwok Wai, got the better of Au Chi Wai by five frames to four. Au Chi Wai had fought back from being a couple of frames behind, to forge ahead 4-2, but a resilient Fung snatched it away from him.

In yet another match that went the distance, Jin Long emerged victorious against Yasin Merchant

To the wire

Trailing 3-1, Merchant experienced a sudden burst of energy to pull back two frames and took the match to the wire.

But with just 19 points separating the two in the final frame, Merchant had an uncharacteristic error and Jin Long,rallied all his reserves to polish off the colours and win the match on the pink ball.

Merchant will be disappointed that his quest for another Asian title is over.