UAE players finish fifth in group stage

The UAE national snooker youth team will return to Dubai on Friday after taking part in the World youth snooker championships, held in Riga, Latvia.

The three-member UAE team, consisting of Ali Bufaroosha, Amin Fikri and Mohammed Balqaizi, were eliminated from the first round after all three finished fifth in their respective groups.

In group four, Mohammed Balqaizi was defeated in his last match by Australian Adrian Darly 4-0. Balqaizi finished fifth out of eight after winning three and losing four.

Adrian qualified for the pre-quarterfinals winning all seven matches, along with second-placed Koiket Blagin of Thailand, who just lost one match.

In group five, Ali Bufaroosha's victory in his last match was not enough for him to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.

Bufaroosha defeated Oliver Lins of Estonia 4-1 to finish fifth with three wins and two defeats.

Indian Pankaj Advani topped group five while Robert Redmond of Ireland finished second. Both players qualified for the pre-quarterfinals.

In group six, Amin Fikri finished fifth after winning three and losing four.

Brendan Denoj of Ireland was on top of the group with Ian Wallace of Scotland finishing second. Both qualified for the last 16 stage.