Al Joker continues unbeaten streak
Al Hashemi picks up second win to brighten chances at Asian Snooker Championships
Mohammad Al Joker, the UAE’s most experienced player, continued his unbeaten run while teammate Eisa Al Hashemi recorded his second win in three outings on the third day of the 33rd Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) Men’s Snooker Championships being held in Doha.
After winning his first two matches against Syrian teenager Yazan Al Haddad and Taipei’s Hsin Ting Chen, Al Joker managed to get the better of experienced Qatari, Abdul Mohsin 4-1 in a late Sunday night encounter. Al Joker held his own to win 71-19, 7257, 31-54, 40-25 and 65-18 to set a mouth-watering clash with unbeaten Dharminder Lilly of India today.
So far, the Indian has three straight wins to his credit including a 4-1 result against Hsin, 4-2 against Al Haddad and a 4-0 taming of Mohsin yesterday morning. Mohammad Al Joker bt Abdul Mohsin 4-1 (71-19, 72-57, 31-54, 40-25, 65-18); Eisa Al Hashemi bt Ebrahim Mahmoud 4-0 (5-9-45, 63-11, 78-29, 58-38).
Al Hashmi also struck a good strain for a second win from three outings with a 4-0 drubbing of Jordan’s Ebrahim Mahmoud. After a slow start that saw the UAE player trailing early, Al Hashemi won 59-45, 63-11, 78-29 and 5838 and brighten his chances for the knockout stages of the competition.
Coached by Mohammad Abdullah, the UAE has four players participating in Doha including the experienced Shehab and Al Joker along with Al Hashemi and 24-yearold Khalid Al Kamali, who was due to play in his Group B match against Ko Htet of Myanmar later yesterday. UAE national champion Shehab was also scheduled to be in action with a Group A match against Myanmar’s Aung Phyo.
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. The final will be held on April 28.